Variations Of Post-Heart Attack Depression Affect Recovery, Reports The 'Harvard Heart Letter'

Recovering from a heart
attack is tough enough without facing depression. Yet that's exactly what
happens to nearly half of heart attack survivors. Depression after a heart
attack isn't a one-size-fits-all classification. Different variations have
different effects on the heart and recovery, reports the April 2007 issue
of the "Harvard Heart Letter."


People with post-heart attack depression are two to three times more
likely to have another heart attack or to die prematurely compared with
survivors who don't have depression. Depression that occurs for the first
time during recovery from a heart attack appears to be more dangerous than
depression that started before the attack.


Depression arises for various reasons. In some people, depression and
heart disease may reflect a genetic vulnerability that can trigger both
conditions. Depression that first appears after a heart attack may
represent fear of dying or grief over loss of health. Fear and grief don't
necessarily respond to the same treatment strategies, so figuring out the
cause of the problem may help in finding the right therapy.



The "Harvard Heart Letter" notes that breaking out of depression on
your own can be tough. Standard treatment includes talk therapy and
medication. If those don't help, ask your doctor for a referral to a
therapist who can help sort out your thoughts and hit on a more specific
treatment.



Some physicians see depression after a heart attack as an
understandable reaction that will go away as you get better. It is usually
much more than that. Regardless of its origin, getting help is good for
your heart, your health, and your life.


Harvard Heart Letter

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