Depressed Patients Tend to Skip Their Heart Medications

Patients who experience depression while having a cardiac device installed are more likely to discontinue their heart medications than those who do not experience sadness.

Recent research suggests that patients who felt sad when they had a cardiac device implanted are more likely to discontinue their heart medications when compared to people who didn't have depression. The research was presented at the ACNAP 2023, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Depression Affects One in Five People With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

For those who have experienced a sudden cardiac arrest or are at high risk of developing a life-threatening arrhythmia, an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is advised.

It is estimated that approximately one in every five patients with an ICD is affected by depression or anxiety (). Both mental health issues have been linked with an elevated risk of death in those with an ICD ().

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‘Having depression when your cardiac device was installed can put you at a higher risk of stopping your heart medicines. #depression’

"Medications help to control symptoms and prevent further heart problems so adherence is important. Patients with an ICD who feel depressed or anxious should be encouraged to express their concerns, thoughts, and feelings and contact a healthcare professional who can screen them for distress to explore the best course of action," said Ole Skov, a psychologist and doctoral student in cardiac psychology at the University of Southern Denmark.

Most patients with an ICD are prescribed medication to manage their heart disease. Failure to take cardiac medications increases the risk of complications and death, making it crucial to identify patients who are more likely to stop taking their medication so that support measures can be initiated ().

Depression can Affect the Likelihood of Taking Life-Saving Heart Medications

The study included 322 patients to examine whether anxiety and depression at the time of ICD implantation are associated with medication adherence one year after receiving the device.

The findings showed that patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms at the time of ICD implantation were less likely to be taking their heart medications one year later.

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The effect of depression was statistically significant but small, which is not surprising given the complexity and multitude of factors involved in medication adherence, Skov said.

"These results highlight the importance of considering the psychological status of people receiving an ICD. Those with symptoms of depression at the time of implantation could be at risk of discontinuing their heart medications, even if they are taking them initially, and may need extra support," he added.

Depression After Heart Disease Diagnosis Increases Risk of Death
Heart disease and depression to have a two-way relationship, with depression increasing the likelihood of heart disease and vice versa.

References:

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in adults with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a systematic review - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21911099/)
Anxiety and depression as risk factors for ICD shocks and mortality in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator - A systematic review - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35933929/)
Non-adherence to cardiovascular medications - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25265973/)

Source-IANS

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