For many individuals, having a heart attack is a life-defining event. It can also be life-changing, but not just in the fact that for some it offers a frightening reminder that one should employ a healthier lifestyle, but rather we're now learning that for some, heart attacks can also have a profound impact on one's mental well-being...
Recent studies have found that the prevalence of depression post-MI are markedly higher than that of the general population, and range between 20-40% with a higher prevalence among women and those with a past history of a mood disorder. Researchers are also concerned that experiencing depression may also impair one's recovery following the heart attack, and as such put these individuals at an increased risk of additional cardiac events in the future.
"“People who are depressed are at much higher risk of having another cardiac event, which could potentially kill them,” Jacobs says. Those diagnosed with major depression or who have symptoms indicating they have major depression after a heart attack – including that it impairs their ability to function – face almost twice the risk of having a future heart attack and are one and a half times more likely to die prematurely, Davidson says.
But while cardiologists typically inquire about other risk factors, they routinely fail to screen patients for depression after a heart attack. Previous research finds about 7 in 10 cardiologists failed to inquire about depression in more than half of their cardiac patients, even though depression is more common following cardiac events and procedures. “We really need to address this issue in a more systematic way,” says Coulter, who has done research on treating depression to reduce cardiac risk and improve outcomes."
For the full story, click here: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-02-25/depression-can-threaten-recovery-after-a-heart-attack
Recent studies have found that the prevalence of depression post-MI are markedly higher than that of the general population, and range between 20-40% with a higher prevalence among women and those with a past history of a mood disorder. Researchers are also concerned that experiencing depression may also impair one's recovery following the heart attack, and as such put these individuals at an increased risk of additional cardiac events in the future.
"“People who are depressed are at much higher risk of having another cardiac event, which could potentially kill them,” Jacobs says. Those diagnosed with major depression or who have symptoms indicating they have major depression after a heart attack – including that it impairs their ability to function – face almost twice the risk of having a future heart attack and are one and a half times more likely to die prematurely, Davidson says.
But while cardiologists typically inquire about other risk factors, they routinely fail to screen patients for depression after a heart attack. Previous research finds about 7 in 10 cardiologists failed to inquire about depression in more than half of their cardiac patients, even though depression is more common following cardiac events and procedures. “We really need to address this issue in a more systematic way,” says Coulter, who has done research on treating depression to reduce cardiac risk and improve outcomes."
For the full story, click here: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-02-25/depression-can-threaten-recovery-after-a-heart-attack
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