Depression Leads to Re-hospitalization in Heart Patients

Depressed heart attack patients more likely to be re-hospitalized for cardiac complications than their happier counterparts.

Vicki Myers of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, along with Yariv Gerber and other researchers examined the link between depressive symptoms in the heart attack patients and their re-hospitalization a decade after the initial attack.

Quiz on Depression
The World Health Organization reports that depression is one of the main causes of disability affecting about 121 million people worldwide. More tragically, it claims around 850,000 lives every year. Hence, it is important that we understand this affliction to help ourselves or our loved ones to cope and, hopefully, resolve it. How well do you know the facts about depression? Take this quiz and find out.

Most studies examining the link between heart attack recovery and mental health have only included short term follow up, says Myers, the Journal of Psychosomatic Research reports.

According to the Tel Aviv statement, researchers used data from 632 heart attack patients under 65 years, hospitalized between 1992 and 1993, comparing their recoveries using follow-up data through 2005.

Although a large percentage who survive a heart attack will be re-hospitalized at some point, those identified as at least "mildly depressed" during their first hospital stay were more likely to be re-hospitalized later with further cardiac health problems.

Animation of heart attack symptoms
Heart attack can cause symptoms such as Chest pain or discomfort, Shortness of breath and pain in neck, back, arm, or shoulder and is due to blockage of blood supply to the heart muscles

Patients with a higher depression point spent 14 percent more time in the hospital than those with a low point.

"The message is that doctors cannot ignore psychological factors in patients who have had a heart attack. Patients who exhibit signs of depression need to be followed more closely, and may need extra help in following lifestyle recommendations. Ignoring this problem weighs heavily on health services," Myers adds.

How to Handle Depression
Few tips that could help you to manage depression. It is ok to be moody once in a while but if you feel moody for a longer period of time then it could be depression.

Source-IANS

Test Your Knowledge on Heart
The heart is a fist-sized organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It is the primary organ of the human circulatory system that helps in circulation of blood throughout the body...