Depression after Heart Attack: Common and Treatable

Newswise — Surviving a heart attack is reason to celebrate a new lease on life. But for reasons not fully understood, heart attacks seem to trigger depression in many people. The February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter looks at this connection and why seeking treatment is important.

About 15 percent to 20 percent of people who have a heart attack experience major depression, and about half of them are dealing with depression for the first time. Symptoms can occur within days of the heart attack or weeks or months later.

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Major depression is characterized by changes that last more than two weeks and can include:

-- Overwhelming feelings of sadness
-- Loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities
-- Weight loss or gain
-- Sleep problems, especially waking early or sleeping excessively
-- Fatigue or low energy
-- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, helplessness or hopelessness
-- Impaired thinking or concentration
-- Loss of sexual desire
-- Thoughts that life isn’t worth living

Seeking treatment for depression is important, not only because of the miserable symptoms, but also because depression significantly increases the risk of another heart attack. Depression is linked to abnormal heart rhythms, inflammation, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and faster blood clotting. People with depression also are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as being sedentary, eating poorly, smoking or drinking alcohol.

The first step toward rebounding from depression is talking with a doctor about symptoms and concerns. If depression is the diagnosis, most people respond very well to treatment that could include psychotherapy, counseling and medication.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today’s health and medical news. To subscribe, please call 1-800-333-9037 (toll-free), extension 9PR1, or visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.