Patients with coronary artery disease who are depressed may be much more likely to suffer a heart attack or die compared to those who are not depressed, according to a study by the American College of Cardiology.
The study, conducted by Natalie Szpakowski, MD, and colleagues, included 22,917 patients who had been diagnosed with stable CAD following a coronary angiogram for chest pain.
Here are four findings from the study.
1. The study found 18.8 percent of patients were diagnosed with depression following a diagnosis of stable CAD. Female patients or patients with more severe angina were more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
2. Additionally, the study found depressed CAD patients were 83 percent more likely to die from any cause compared to those who weren't depressed. They were also 36 percent more likely to be admitted to a hospital for a heart attack.
4. Patients who were diagnosed with depression 90 to 180 days after being diagnosed with CAD were at greatest risk.
Authors said the study findings suggest these patients may need to be screened for mood disorders, either by their family physician or their cardiologist.
"Based on these findings, there may be an opportunity to improve outcomes in people with coronary heart disease by screening for and treating mood disorders, but this needs to be further studied," Dr. Szpakowski said, according to the ACA. "Stable chronic angina due to narrowing of the coronary arteries is common, and our findings show that many of these patients struggle with depression. Our follow-up was at most five years, so many more might be affected."
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