Even if scientists put in all of their knowledge into a particular study, it is almost impossible to restrain the impact mental status can have on any physical ailment. A joint study by a team from the British Heart Foundation and Depression Alliance has put forth the importance of treating depression in heart disease patients.
This holds good for any kind of illness, where it is critical for doctors to take note of the physical as well as the psychological symptoms of the disease. A study conducted last year also highlighted the idea that stroke and depression could indeed be a bad combination, both of which are mutually correlated.
Mike Knapton, our Associate Medical Director, shared, “Depression is up to three times more common among heart patients and around a quarter of heart failure patients suffer from the condition. We need to look closely at how we care for people with depression and long term conditions because these patients tend to have a poorer quality of life and are at even greater risk of dying.”
However, the reason why depression generally accompanies heart disease is not clear. The team reiterates that this should not give the NHS caretakers an excuse to overlook depression. It has been noted that this condition is common among those who have poor quality of life.
Such patients may unwittingly be at risk of death, which is why newer ways of aiding them is the need of the hour. The treatment ought to get over only when the persons feel relieved physically as well as mentally, concludes the team.