Anxiety, depression can aggravate your heart health: study

Symptoms of depression and anxiety are present in approximately one third of patients with heart failure and these patients present a higher risk of progressive heart disease and other adverse outcomes. , a new study suggests.

The study, published in the journal Harvard Review of Psychiatry, found evidence confirming "significantly higher" rates of depression and anxiety disorders in patients with heart failure, compared to the general population.

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease in which the heart can not pump enough blood, which causes symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
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"Depression has been linked to the development and progression of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases," said co-author Christopher Celano of the University School of Medicine. Harvard.
The researchers said earlier studies have linked psychiatric disorders to worse outcomes in patients with heart failure.

To clarify these relationships, researchers did a focused review of research on the badociations between heart failure, depression, and anxiety.

The researchers found that anxiety is very common in heart failure patients.

Approximately 30% of patients have clinically significant anxiety symptoms, while 13% meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder). panic disorder).

Depression and anxiety can make it more difficult for patients with heart failure to follow recommendations for diet, exercise and the use of medications. Previous studies have also linked depression to metabolic changes, including increased levels of inflammatory markers, the researchers added.

The researchers noted that formal diagnostic interviews (ie based on DSM-5 criteria) can help badess the cause of heart failure and depression or anxiety, including problems with sleep, concentration or energy.

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