Dr. Loknath

Heart disease is a serious medical condition, and so is depression. Together, they can be harmful for the people suffering from them. It is seen that 33% of heart attack patients also suffer from depression. Interestingly enough, many patients having depression also have coronary artery disease (CHD) or adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).  

Patients with heart disease (acquired or congenital) - are more likely to suffer from depression because heart problems directly and adversely impact the patient’s attitude and mood, confidence regarding the future, and confidence in the ability to fulfill his or her life roles. CHD and ACHD also create a sense of guilt and feelings of embarrassment, regarding the patient’s ability to carry out physical activities - these factors trigger depression.  

Heart disease also causes stress in patients, which triggers the brain to produce higher levels of cortisol and glucose, both of which cause depression.  

While both diseases can overwhelm the patients, they can be managed with a combination of antidepressants and lifestyle changes which include: cardiac rehabilitation, social support, and psychological and psychiatric counseling.  

Cardiac rehabilitation is important because many studies have shown that physical exercise and proper nutrition can improve overall heart health and mental function. The reason being that both cause the brain to produce higher levels of dopamine which heals the heart and the brain.

Many heart disease patients may require professional psychological, and/or psychiatric counseling because such professionals are trained to treat patients with various forms of depression and can work with such individuals to formulate a plan involving medications or various activities and actions derived through counseling to help them recover mentally. Additionally, these patients can learn valuable life lessons and tips regarding managing a heart disease, which they can apply to their lives to heal faster.  

While heart diseases and depression can be a fatal combination however, they are not untreatable. Given proper guidance through exercising, and mental healing tools and therapy, it is possible for even those patients with the most severe forms of heart diseases and depression to manage their condition and heal themselves.