The human heart is one of the most important organs in the body as it delivers oxygenated blood to every organ system in the body. In other words, this muscular pump is responsible for keeping our organs alive. When this muscle is compromised by disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failure and other disorders that affect the heart directly such as ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy, the entire body is compromised. The heart is not only closely connected to the body but also to the mind as well, according to research, which has shown that mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders can result in heart disease and vice versa. Unmanaged stress can lead to high blood pressure, arterial damage, irregular heart rhythms and a weakened immune system. Multiple studies have concluded that individuals who had reported high or very high levels of depression and anxiety were more likely to have had a heart attack or stroke than those individuals without these symptoms. Sometimes, major life events, such as the loss of a job, a spouse’s illness, or even a heart attack, can unmask depression and in the opposite cases, being diagnosed with depression or anxiety can trigger heart disease or a stroke.

Depression and heart disease

Depression and heart disease are among the most disabling diseases we face. They are both very widespread among the general population and often occur simultaneously in the same individual. There is thought to be a two-way relationship between heart disease and depression: A percentage of people with no history of depression become depressed after a heart attack or after developing heart failure. And people with depression but no previously detected heart disease; seem to develop heart disease at a higher rate than the general population. Research has shown that up to 15 percent of patients with cardiovascular disease and up to 20 percent of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery experience major depression. During recovery from cardiac surgery, depression can intensify pain, worsen fatigue and sluggishness, or cause a person to withdraw into social isolation. Negative lifestyle habits associated with depression, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, poor diet and lack of social support, interfere with the treatment for heart disease. For individuals with heart disease, depression can increase the risk of an adverse cardiac event such as a heart attack or a blood clot (which can travel to the lungs). For individuals who do not have heart disease, depression can also increase the risk of a heart attack and the development of coronary artery disease.

Anxiety and heart disease

Dealing with anxiety can take a toll on the heart in many ways. Panic attacks are a type of anxiety that mimics a heart attack and many individuals who have endured panic attacks, feel as though they may be experiencing a heart attack. Palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, numbness of hands and feet, and dizziness are common symptoms of both panic attacks and heart attacks and the surge of endorphins and other stress hormones that are released during a panic attack can result in rising blood pressure and a have a temporary strain on the heart. Recent research suggests that individuals who have received a diagnosis of panic attacks or panic disorder under the age 50 have an increased risk of developing heart disease or an increased chance of suffering a heart attack. When someone is anxious, their body reacts in ways that can put an extra strain on their heart. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be especially damaging among individuals with existing cardiac disease.

Maintaining a positive attitude about treatment for both mental illness and heart disease and holding the belief that our actions can have a beneficial effect on our own health are very important. An individual’s attitude seems to have a powerfully favorable effect on their ability to make behavior and lifestyle changes that are often necessary to reduce the risk of having future heart problems. An individual’s attitude also influences the response to treatment. If signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety are affecting an individual’s daily life, regardless if they have a heart condition, an individual should seek treatment from a mental health professional in their community.

Sources:

  • Heart.org
  • Harvard Health