Warning signs of depression are often missed by most people who are already suffering from heart disease. Depression and heart disease go hand in hand. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, one in every ten people aged 18 years and above suffer from depression. You’ll even be surprised to know that symptoms of depression are three times more commonly diagnosed in people who have suffered an acute heart attack.
People all over the world experience sadness, gloominess and even down in life. However, if those feelings last for more than a week and leave the person feeling hopeless and unhappy about life, the person might be suffering from depression. Just like heart disease, depression is also a common ailment. It is a life-altering condition that is twice as likely to occur in patients with other sicknesses compared to the general population. People with depression are often diagnosed with a heightened risk of heart diseases and so so it’s very crucial to be aware of this link and get a treatment for depression, as soon as possible.
Role of Depression in Patients with Heart Diseases
According to studies, more than 15% of patients who have suffered a cardiovascular disease have experienced depression. Over 20% of people who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery have also experienced major depression. A lot of similar studies have shown regularly that the mental state of the patient has a deteriorating effect on a person’s heart health. Particularly, depression and unmanaged stress can lead to an increase in blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, weak immunity system, increased platelet reactivity, increased CRP markers, and adverse cardiac events such as blood clots or heart attacks.
Even during recoveries from heart diseases and surgeries, patients with depression have encountered intensified pain, fatigue, sluggishness or even withdrawal symptoms of social isolation. Patients with heart disease and depression have also experienced an increased risk of getting Readmitted to the hospital with increased mortality risk. Some research findings have also concluded that depression can be linked to the risk of recurrent heart attacks and genetic factors leading to a link between depression and heart attacks. Depression sometimes even comes along with destructive Lifestyle habits including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of movement and a reduction in social support. These negative Lifestyle habits interfere with the treatment of coronary diseases and result in a higher risk of cardiac attacks.
When Should I consult a doctor?
A prolonged depression or a state of sadness, hopefulness and sluggishness that lasts for more than 2 weeks requires proper consultation and diagnosis from an expert. Treatment is required when a person suffers from severe depression accompanied by an increase in negative thoughts, tearfulness and social alienation. Without proper treatment, people can suffer from acute depression which can further contribute to an increased risk of coronary diseases and heart attack.
- You can talk to your healthcare provider or medical expert, or even a heart specialist who can decide a course of treatment, diagnose your condition and prescribed safe antidepressants.
- Your health care provider might also suggest you refer to psychologist or a mental health specialist who can help counsel and treat your depression.
- You can also seek help from a medical expert if you currently recognise my heart surgery or heart attack and have been feeling lonely, hopeless or sad.
How do they diagnose?
Relevant treatment for depression is crucial in helping people battling with despair find the solution and end the suffering. Medical experts should be able to identify your symptoms and evaluate your condition for proper diagnosis. If you are a patient who is recovering from a mental illness or a surgical procedure that has given birth to depression, medical experts will pay attention to depressive symptoms that are the causative agents.
Depression that is linked with cardiac disease is worse with the following symptoms:
- Tearfulness and loneliness
- Lack of activity and increased negative thoughts
- Withdrawal from social connections
- A physical disorder or illness
- A viral infection
An expert Healthcare provider can perform a physical exam and prescribe laboratory tests to determine if there is a physical cause behind the depressive symptoms. The Healthcare provider might also evaluate your medical and personal history for proper screening and diagnosis.
