Psychological aspects of cardiovascular diseases

    Authors

    Abstract

    The connection between mental states and heart disease is not accidental. There is strong epidemiological evidence that these are bidirectionally related conditions, which pose a risk to each other, but often coexist. The prevalence of anxiety and depression is higher in cardiac patients compared to the general population. Studies show that 20% of patients with congestive heart failure suffer from depression, while 50% of patients with acute coronary heart disease in intensive care units show some of the symptoms of anxiety disorder. (1, 2) Depressed patients have less motivation and energy for self-care activities, participate less in the treatment and rehabilitation program, which prolongs the disease, worsens symptoms, and increases mortality. Typical symptoms of cardiovascular diseases such as fatigue, malaise and insomnia are very similar to the symptoms of depression, so they can often remain unrecognized in clinical practice and consequently insufficiently treated. Therefore, considering all the knowledge in the field of psychocardiology, early detection and successful treatment of psychological disorders (especially anxiety and depression) would improve the clinical outcome, facilitate the care of such patients, and ensure a better quality of life.

    Keywords

    cardiovascular diseases, psychological conditions

    DOI

    https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2021.369

    Literature

    1. Schulman JK, Muskin PR, Shapiro PA. Psychiatry and cardiovascular disease. FOCUS. 2005;3(2):208-224. Available at: (September 1, 2021). https://focus.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/foc.3.2.208
    2. Moser DK, Dracup K. Is anxiety early after myocardial infarction associated with subsequent ischemic and arrhythmic events? Psychosom Med. 1996 September-October;58(5):395–401. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199609000-00001
    Cardiologia Croatica
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    Psychological aspects of cardiovascular diseases

    Extended Abstract
    Issue11-12
    Published
    Pages369
    PDF via DOIhttps://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2021.369
    cardiovascular diseases
    psychological conditions

    Authors

    Ana Marinić*ORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
    Vjera PisačićORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
    Valentina JezlORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
    Danijela GregurevićORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska

    *Correspondence email: marinic.ana9@gmail.com

    Abstract

    The connection between mental states and heart disease is not accidental. There is strong epidemiological evidence that these are bidirectionally related conditions, which pose a risk to each other, but often coexist. The prevalence of anxiety and depression is higher in cardiac patients compared to the general population. Studies show that 20% of patients with congestive heart failure suffer from depression, while 50% of patients with acute coronary heart disease in intensive care units show some of the symptoms of anxiety disorder. (1, 2) Depressed patients have less motivation and energy for self-care activities, participate less in the treatment and rehabilitation program, which prolongs the disease, worsens symptoms, and increases mortality. Typical symptoms of cardiovascular diseases such as fatigue, malaise and insomnia are very similar to the symptoms of depression, so they can often remain unrecognized in clinical practice and consequently insufficiently treated. Therefore, considering all the knowledge in the field of psychocardiology, early detection and successful treatment of psychological disorders (especially anxiety and depression) would improve the clinical outcome, facilitate the care of such patients, and ensure a better quality of life.

    Literature

    1. 1.
      Schulman JK, Muskin PR, Shapiro PA. Psychiatry and cardiovascular disease. FOCUS. 2005;3(2):208-224. Available at: (September 1, 2021).Link
    2. 2.
      Moser DK, Dracup K. Is anxiety early after myocardial infarction associated with subsequent ischemic and arrhythmic events? Psychosom Med. 1996 September-October;58(5):395–401.DOI