After myocardial infarction or openheart surgery the patient and partner often have to cope with several sources of stress. Analysis of these sources of stress led to the development of a stressmanagement training for both patients and their partners. Training goals, on a group level, on a couple level and on an individual level were formulated. Systematic evaluation of two groups (7 couples) showed that, on group level we were succesful in creating an atmosphere in which patients felt free to express themselves to the therapists and other groupmembers. On couple level the training was found to have an emancipatory effect on the partners. Patients and partners showed no changes in anxiety and well-being measurements between the pre- and posttraining assessment on the individual level. These latter findings are discussed in the light of the knowledge that myocardial infarction or openheart surgery patients and partners often have to search for a new meaning of life.