Depression Has A Negative Impact On Heart & Stroke Patients

Depression can have negative effects on cardiovascular patients, even if it is left undiagnosed, in terms of poor healthcare experiences, high health costs and more use of healthcare resources, according to a new research at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2018.

 When researchers noted the differences between high risk and low risk groups of cardiovascular patients without depression, these were the results they found out:

• Those with high risk of depression had more yearly expenditures on healthcare.
• High risk patients were 2 times more likely to be hospitalised.
• High risk patients were also 5 times more likely to have poor self perceived health status and were also 5 times likely to be less satisfied with their treatment.
• Patients who have high risk for depression also had worse healthcare related quality of life.

In another set of studies, the researchers found that heart attack patients who have been diagnosed with depression were 54 percent likely to get hospitalised and had 43% chances of visiting emergency room. Stroke patients, on the other hand, were 56% more likely to report functional declines and negative stroke related consequences when they were diagnosed with depression after 3-6 months of their stroke. The researchers have urged the officials to carve out strategies so as to more effectively manage depression patients who are also heart and stroke patients.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180408190406.htm