Changes in Patient Drawings of the Heart Identify Slow Recovery After Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Drawings of the heart may be useful in identifying patients who have experienced heart attacks who are likely to develop greater heart-focused anxiety, complaints of ill health, and higher use of health care. Increases in the size of the patient's drawing of the heart may reflect increases in the extent to which their heart condition plays on their mind and directs their daily activities.