After a heart attack, most people experience a whirlwind of emotions. On the one hand, a patient may be grateful to still be alive, but he may also feel frightened and anxious about the future. Will he be able to go back to his former lifestyle? Will he have another heart attack? He may also feel angry and upset about the unfairness of it all.

The good news is that depression can be treated. With the appropriate care, a patient will lead a happier life — and life will be easier for you, too. Here are some practical things you can do if you think a patient is depressed after a heart attack:

If you believe he’s depressed, the first step is to talk to him about his feelings. This isn’t always easy, especially if he isn’t used to expressing emotions. Ask him if he’s feeling sad or hopeless. Try to get an idea if it’s really depression or just a temporary case of the blues.

The next step is to schedule an evaluation. His primary care physician may want to talk to him first, or she may refer him to a psychiatrist or counselor. In any case, the evaluating doctor will talk to him and assess his mood. She may also order screening tests to rule out other medical conditions that can mimic depression, such as a thyroid disorder or infection.

If he’s resistant to the idea of testing because he’s embarrassed or afraid, help him understand that a diagnosis of depression isn’t the shameful secret it once was. It doesn’t mean he’s “crazy” or is going to be taken away to a nursing home. What’s more, his test results are private, so no one but he and his doctor needs to know.

If he absolutely refuses to see a doctor, there’s not a whole lot you can do. You can’t force the issue unless he’s psychotic or suicidal, or his depression has progressed to the point where he can no longer take care of himself. If none of those circumstances apply, your best bet is to enlist family members and friends to try to persuade him to seek help.

Simply supporting someone as he struggles with depression can help him a great deal. Here are some other things you can do:

In the end, it’s really the patient’s responsibility to get help for depression. If he won’t talk to his doctor or comply with treatment, you can’t make him — and you shouldn’t blame yourself. Keep offering support and provide positive reinforcement when he takes those difficult steps toward recovery.

But there’s only so much you can do. If feelings of guilt and sadness overwhelm you, you may need help coming to terms with the fact that the person you’re caring for isn’t going to get help. Ask his doctor for information about support groups and other resources to help you manage your own feelings.

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