Depression, Heart Attack and the Over Fifty

As we age words like “heart attack” and “depression” are frequently heard words.
Not that these words are not talked about when we are younger. They are. But as we age incidents of heart attack and depression occur with more frequency to our peers, so naturally we are curious to find out how to prevent these diseases from happening to our loved ones or to ourselves.

When one experiences a severe event like a heart attack it is a common occurrence to have depression set in. Feelings of anxiety over a re-occurrence, sleeplessness, irritability and extreme sadness that we have had to endure this heart event are all symptoms that may last just a few days, several weeks or longer after the initial attack or diagnosis.

Family and friends can be a source of support in addition to your medical team of doctors and nurses. Depression following a heart attack needs to be addressed so that it does not further aggravate the situation and possibly bring on a second heart incident. Doctors may view depression in their recuperating patients as “normal” due to the graveness of the situation. Clinical depression is not normal though and it must be treated properly and promptly.

The Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine reports that researchers have stated that 18% of heart attack survivors have incidents of major depression following their attack. It was found that those who experienced major depression were 2.5 times as likely to die of heart disease as those who did not have major depression following their heart attack.

There is mounting evidence that there is indeed a connection between depression and heart disease. The connection may work both ways. Persons who suffer from major depression may be prone to having heart attacks according to a Johns Hopkins study, there was twice as much chance of developing coronary artery disease or a heart attack as compared to study subjects who were not depressed. Those who are at highest risk for suffering from depression following a heart attack are women, those who have had a prior heart attack and those who are without family members or other social contact such as those who are elderly.

Symptoms of depression:

Feelings of extreme sadness or a depressed mood that lasts longer and does not seem to lift.

A lost of interest in activities that would normally interest the person

Noticeable changes in appetite and weight

Sleep patterns that are different in the way that the person either sleeps too much or has trouble sleeping

Dramatic loss of energy

Feeling guilty or a sense of worthlessness

Difficulty making decisions or being able to concentrate

Having thoughts of death or talking about suicide

Symptoms of heart attack:

Chest discomfort, usually in the center of the chest that last for more than a few minutes or that disappears and then returns. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, pain or a feeling of fullness.

In addition to chest discomfort the person may be experiencing discomfort or pain in one or both of his or her arms, back, neck, stomach or jaw area.

Shortness of breath that happens with or without the chest discomfort

Becoming sweaty, feeling cold, nauseous or lightheaded

Do not hesitate to call 911 if you are someone you are with are experiencing one or more of these symptoms. Time can make all the difference.