You are currently viewing Depression, anxiety can spike risk of heart failure
HG473 arteries congestive heart failure FS

Depression, anxiety can spike risk of heart failure

ISLAMABAD: Time and again experts from across the globe have said that there is a Pathophysiological relationship between heart failure and depression and anxiety.

According to the latest study by Harvard Review of Psychiatry, about one-third of people who have fallen into traps of depression and anxiety are at higher risk of progressive heart diseases. Christopher Celano, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, United States and colleagues were of the view that both anxiety and depression remain under-recognized and untreated in patients suffering from heart failure or cardiac attack.

He further said that at times, it becomes challenging for medical practitioners to identify the symptoms of heart failure as there is a significant overlap between psychiatric symptoms and those related to heart failure.”Making the effort can help to identify those who are at higher risk for poor cardiac outcomes and to implement the treatment of these disorders,” Celano said.

The victims of heart failure suffering from depression and anxiety also find it difficult to follow the recommended diet, exercise routine, and medication use. Studies have also linked depression to metabolic changes, including increased levels of inflammatory markers, Medical Xpress reported.

While conducting the study, the researchers found that one-third of people having heart failure have elevated symptoms of depression on standard questionnaires, while nineteen percent meet diagnostic criteria for major depression or other depressive disorders.

A piece published earlier:  People with existing heart problems or who are at the risk of developing them are ignoring medical advice and are not exercising enough. Scientists from the University of Adelaide looked at the exercise habits of 3000 people from the general population in South Australia and Southern Brazil. New medical treatments have helped people to live longer despite these health problems, but this is causing an escalating burden on public health systems worldwide. “Previous research has tended to assess the benefits of exercise habits of patients with cardiovascular disease who follow an exercise plan developed by their doctor,” said the study’s author David A. Gonzalez-Chica, appears in the journal PLOS ONE. “There is evidence that more than 70 percent of people who suffer from or who are at risk of developing a heart condition due to diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, do not follow a proper program of regular moderate or vigorous exercise, which is critical for avoiding further complications and even mortality. “The scale of this critical public health issue is, therefore, being under-reported,” said Gonzalez-Chica. People with heart problems are living longer – especially in high – income countries such as Australia – but their long-term quality of life is being adversely affected because they are avoiding moderate or vigorous exercise. Current guidelines suggested that at least 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity a week is recommended. (Published on 19th June 2018) 

M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.