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Co-Occurrence of Depression with Heart Disease
Awareness and Treatment Can Improve Overall Health and Reduce Suffering
Depression is a common, serious and costly illness that affects I in 10 adults
in the U.S. each
year, costs the Nation between $30 - $44 billion annually, and causes
impairment, suffering,
and disruption of personal, family, and work life. Though 80 percent of
depressed people can
be effectively treated, nearly two out of three of those suffering from this
illness do not
seek or receive appropriate treatment. Effective treatments include both
medication and
psychotherapy, which are sometimes used in combination.
Depression Co-Occurs with Heart Disease
Of particular significance, depression often co-occurs with heart disease. When
this happens,
the presence of the additional illness, depression, is frequently unrecognized,
leading to
serious and unnecessary' consequences for patients and families. Though
depressed feelings
can be a common reaction to heart disease, clinical depression is not the
expected reaction.
For this reason, when present, specific treatment should be considered for
clinical depression
even in the presence of heart disease.
Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of depression may bring substantial benefits
to the patient
through improved medical status, enhanced quality of life, a reduction in the
degree of pain
and disability, and improved treatment compliance and cooperation.
Heart Disease
Research has documented a high correlation between depression and increased risk
of dying or
impairment in patients with coronary heart disease: In coronary heart disease
patients with
a history of myocardial infarction (heart attack), the prevalence of various
forms of depression
is estimated from 40 to 65 percent. 18-20 percent of coronary heart patients
without a history of heart attack may experience depression. Major depression puts heart attack
victims at greater
risk and appears to add to the patients' disability from heart disease.
Depression can contribute
to a worsening of symptoms as well as poor adherence to cardiac treatment
regimens. People
who survive heart attacks but suffer from major depression have a 3-4 times
greater risk of
dying within six months than those who do not suffer from depression.
The Symptoms of Depression Include...
* Persistent sad or "empty" mood
* Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities
* Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
* Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early waking; or oversleeping)
* Eating disturbances (loss of appetite or overeating)
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering. making decisions
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
* Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
* Irritability
* Excessive crying
* Chronic aches and pains for no apparent reason
* Decreased energy, fatigue, being slow
When five or more of these symptoms last for longer than two weeks, are not
caused by other
illness or medication, or disrupt usual functioning, an evaluation for
depression is indicated.
Wilmes-Reitz Psychological
23632 Calabasas Rd., Suite 202
Calabasas, California 91302
(818) 591-8270
wrpsych@aol.com
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