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Depression, Heart Attacks Related

When the chest pains start, your first thought is, "Oh no, this can't be happening to me." And from then on, your life has changed.

A major health event such as a heart attack has many emotional repercussions, and what research is documenting clearly is that the mental health side of heart disease has a strong impact on the physical side of the illness.

According to research, as many as 65 percent of patients who have had a heart attack suffer from major depression. Depression appears to increase disability in heart patients because it can contribute to a worsening of symptoms as well as poor adherence to cardiac treatment regimens.

In addition, heart attack survivors with major depression have a three to four times greater risk of dying within six months than those who do not suffer from depression. The good news is that treating depression when it occurs in heart patients can minimize or avoid some of the serious health consequences.

What should the cardiac patient look for as symptoms of depression?

• sleep or appetite problems
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• persistent headaches or digestive symptoms
• feelings of hopelessness
• feelings of worthlessness
• loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed

Feeling depressed after a heart attack is neither surprising nor uncommon. What is surprising is that so few people seek relief. Often patients won't even share their symptoms with their cardiologist or primary care physician, believing that it is just "normal" to feel as they do, or ascribing the symptoms to their physical condition.

In addition, some are unaware that modern anti-depressive drugs are generally very safe for cardiac patients, unlike the medications of a decade or two ago.

Remember that depression can be overcome through recognition of symptoms, and evaluation and treatment by a qualified professional. Individuals with heart disease, their loved ones and their physicians should be alert to the symptoms of depression and seek an evaluation when indicated.