To follow up on February's Heart Month we still need to be aware of our heart health. Look out for the symptoms, seek medical assistance when required and take care of ourselves and those we love – prevention, treatment and recovery. Outside of the physical impact of a cardiac episode we also need to be more aware and open in relation to the mental health impact.

• In the UK, over 50% of people living with heart and circulatory diseases, including heart attack survivors, experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or severe emotional distress.
• Approximately 1 in 10 people in Northern Ireland live with a mental health issue at any time, and anxiety affects 12-37% of cardiac patients, who are often overlooked for psychological care.
• Over a third of patients with depression or anxiety after a heart event do not receive help.
• Roughly 1 in 8 heart attack survivors and 1 in 4 stroke survivors experience PTSD.