Depression may follow heart failure

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Around one person in five with heart failure goes on to become depressed, according to a new study.
It's already known that heart disease and depression may be linked. Now researchers at Denver Medical Center, Colorado, reveal a specific association in heart failure.

They find that 21 per cent of a group of 245 heart failure patients became depressed during the year after the start of the study. Living alone, having more severe heart failure, a history of alcohol abuse, and finding medical costs burdensome were all linked with an increased risk of depression. While no patient had all four risk factors, 69 per cent of those with three risk factors became depressed, compared to only eight per cent of those who had none of the risk factors. Further research is needed to see if early intervention in those with heart failure who are at risk can protect them from depression.

Source
Journal of the American College of Cardiology 21st December 2004

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