Heart and Vascular Care
The cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Main Line Health work together to improve the detection and prevention of heart disease with the latest treatment options.
Chronic health conditions are long-term health issues that last for at least a year and that may not go away. They often require ongoing care and can significantly impact your everyday life and ability to do things you love. About 50% of adults in the United States live with at least one chronic medical condition.
Being diagnosed with one or more chronic health conditions can change your entire world. It can affect your physical and mental health, your ability to work and carry out daily activities and it can put stress on your relationships. These challenges may lead to more additional distress, which can make coping with an already difficult chronic condition even harder.
The good news is that most chronic illnesses can be effectively managed, and you can live a healthy, productive life. If you’re struggling to cope with your chronic health condition — or care for someone who has one — our behavioral health specialists are here to help you manage any emotional distress and improve your quality of life.
Many chronic health issues seem to develop unexpectedly and can suddenly disrupt your life. Others tax us when management slowly wears on our coping skills. You may feel overwhelmed by painful emotions or worried that you’ll never be able to adapt to your “new reality.”
In addition to chronic disease-specific symptoms, having a serious illness can also lead to additional sources of stress from:
Stress can build up and affect your mental and emotional health. Here are some additional signs you might be struggling to cope with your condition:
It’s normal to feel angry or upset at times when you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness. If you feel that your ability to cope is getting harder, it’s important to talk to a mental health care provider. They can offer support and guidance to help you regain a sense of control, reduce stress and improve your quality of life.
The emotional challenges and degree of psychological distress from coping with a chronic health condition can be caused by several factors, including:
There are many types of chronic health conditions, including:
Living with a chronic health condition affects people differently. For example, some people struggle with conditions that others seem to manage more easily, and a condition that is easy for one person to manage can be more challenging for another. There is no one “right” way to handle a chronic illness. Certain risk factors may make it more difficult for someone to cope with a chronic illness.
At Main Line Health, your mental health care provider will work with you to design a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may include one or more of the following treatments:
To determine whether living with a chronic condition is impacting your ability to cope, a mental health specialist will conduct an evaluation through tests that may include:
The cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Main Line Health work together to improve the detection and prevention of heart disease with the latest treatment options.
From diagnosis and throughout treatment, Main Line Health cancer specialists (oncologists) provide compassionate care for you and your loved ones through all stages of cancer treatment.
Discover how Main Line Health helps those who struggle with mental illness and substance use live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our nephrologists, located throughout the Philadelphia suburbs, will medically manage your kidney conditions and develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs.