Scientists say that people suffering from heart disease have a huge risk of suffering from depression, according to a report posted by BBC.
"Every person with a long-term physical health condition, like heart disease, should be treated for both their physical and psychological symptoms equally," said Julie Ward at the British Heart Foundation, explaining depression is a "risk factor for heart disease." People will heart ailments are more likely to go through the mental disease.
The study, published in the European Society of Cardiology, also concluded that depression increases the risk of more health problems to occur by 40%, and may even speed up the death process.
96 hospital patients with heart condtions were interviewed, observed and tested for any depression symptoms. Those who were diagnosed as moderately and severely depressed died within the next 300 days.
"We found a dose response relationship between depressive symptoms and the risk of developing heart failure. That means that the more depressed you feel, the more you are at risk," according to Lise Tuset Gustad, first author of the research.
She also added that depression triggers stress hormones that "induce inflammation and atherosclerosis, which may accelerate heart diseases."
Further, patients were found to avoid taking their prescribed medication as a side effect of the mental disorder.
Researchers are encouraging patients to speak with their specialists, especially if they are feeling sad or depressed, and consider seeking professional help.
The British Heart Foundation describes heart failure as its inability to pump blood throughout the body, like it used to. Common causes like heart attacks, high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy weaken the muscles, causing the heart to have a difficult time performing its function.
This is considered a modern epidemic by Professor John Cleland and is affecting at least 900,000 UK citizens. "Being heart specialists we have focused on trying to find medicines, devices, and operations," he tells BBC.
