Depression Can Break Your Heart

Depression and Heart Disease are Common Companions

ERIE – Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and heart disease is by far the leading cause of death in the United States (it’s currently estimated that one in three Americans will die of some form of heart disease).

Research over the past two decades has shown that depression and heart disease are common companions and, what is worse, each can lead to the other. It appears now that depression is an important risk factor for heart disease along with high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. While it's estimated that one in six people will experience an episode of major depression at least once in their life, the number rises to one in two for people with heart disease.

Depression can appear after heart disease and/or heart disease surgery. In one investigation, nearly half of the patients studied one week after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery experienced serious cognitive problems, which for some patients can contribute to clinical depression.

Depression may make it harder for individuals to take the medications needed and to carry out the treatment for heart disease. Furthermore, studies have shown that most heart patients aren't treated for depression, which could be the result of doctors either missing the diagnosis of the condition or attempting to treat their patients’ symptoms with sedatives that make depression worse.

With Treatment, Comes Hope
Treatment for depression in the context of heart disease should be managed by a mental health professional — for example, a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker —who is in close communication with the physician providing the heart disease treatment. This is especially important when antidepressant medication is needed or prescribed, so that potentially harmful drug interactions can be avoided.

While there are many different treatments for depression, they must be carefully chosen by a trained professional based on the circumstances of the person and family. Recovery from depression takes time. Medications for depression can take several weeks to work and may need to be combined with ongoing psychotherapy. Not everyone responds to treatment in the same way. Prescriptions and dosing may need to be adjusted. No matter how advanced the heart disease, however, the person does not have to suffer from depression. Depression is highly treatable.

Knowing what the symptoms of depression are and getting therapeutic help at the very first signs of the condition can save a person untold emotional pain and physical suffering. Regardless of which comes first--depression then heart disease, or heart disease then depression--effective treatment of depression is imperative.

CPFG offers confidential and professional services for a range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. The staff takes a holistic, compassionate approach to counseling to help the individual or family return to an optimum level of psychological well-being. CPFG has a full complement of clinicians on staff (including psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed master’s-level clinicians), with a variety of specialties including: adult issues; anger management; anxiety disorders; ADHD; bariatric surgery evaluations; child and adolescent issues; chronic pain; depression & anxiety disorders; eating disorders; family therapy; geriatric/aging issues; health/medical psychology; infertility; marital therapy; men’s and women’s issues; neuropsychological evaluations; parenting; pregnancy/adoption; and trauma.

For an interview with a psychiatrist, additional information on depression and heart disease, or the Center for Personal & Family Growth, call Julie Sorrentino Kresge at 814/451-2206.

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