CO-OCCURRENCE OF
DEPRESSION
WITH HEART DISEASE
- Depression is a common, serious and costly illness that affects 1 in 10 adults in
the U.S. each year, costs the Nation between $30 - $44 billion annually, and causes
impairment, suffering, and disruption of personal, family, and work life.
- Though 80 percent of depressed people can be effectively treated, nearly two out of
three of those suffering from this illness do not seek or receive appropriate treatment. Effective
treatments include both medication and psychotherapy, which are sometimes used in
combination.
DEPRESSION CO-OCCURS WITH HEART DISEASE
- Of particular significance, depression often co-occurs with heart disease. When this
happens, the presence of the additional illness, depression, is frequently unrecognized,
leading to serious and unnecessary consequences for patients and families.
- Though depressed feelings can be a common reaction to heart disease, clinical
depression is not the expected reaction. For this reason, when present, specific
treatment should be considered for clinical depression even in the presence of heart
disease
- Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of depression may bring substantial benefits to the
patient through improved medical status, enhanced quality of life, a reduction in the
degree of pain and disability, and improved treatment compliance and cooperation.
MORE FACTS
Research has documented a high correlation between depression and increased risk of
dying or impairment in patients with coronary heart disease:
- In coronary heart disease patients with a history of myocardial infarction (heart
attack), the prevalence of various forms of depression is estimated from 40 to 65
percent.
- 18-20 percent of coronary heart patients without a history of heart attack
may experience depression.
- Major depression puts heart attack victims at greater risk and appears to add to the
patients' disability from heart disease. Depression can contribute to a worsening of
symptoms as well as poor adherence to cardiac treatment regimens.
- People who survive heart attacks but suffer from major depression have a 3-4 times
greater risk of dying within six months than those who do not suffer from depression.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION |
- Persistent, sad or "empty" mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning waking or oversleeping)
- Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain)
|
- Difficult concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
- Irritability
- Excessive crying
- Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
|
| If a person has five or more of these
symptoms for more than two weeks, it is important that these symptoms be brought to the
attention of the individual's health care provider. |
|
ACTION STEPS
Don't Ignore Symptoms! Health care professionals should always be aware of the
possibility of depression co-occurring with heart disease. Patients or family members with
concerns about this possibility should discuss these issues with the individual's
physicians. A consultation with a psychiatrist or other mental health clinician may be
recommended to clarify the diagnosis.
Get the Word Out! Emphasize the importance of professional and public awareness
of the co-occurrence of depression with heart disease and proper diagnosis and treatment
of depression.
Community, Professional, Advocacy Organizations, and the Media Can Help spread
important messages about depression co-occurring with heart disease.
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