Surviving a heart attack is a reason to be happy, but many heart attack survivors fall prey to depression. It is estimated that one in three people feel symptoms of depression following this life-threatening, life-changing event. Depression can make recovering from a heart attack even more difficult, and it should be identified and treated as soon as possible.

Knowing Depression

Depression is a medical ailment involving the body and the mind. It is normal for everyone to feel down at some point in his or her life. But depression after a heart attack is very different from a typical feeling of sadness. Depression after a heart attack may be caused by a fear of death, the shock after a life-threatening incidence, risks involved in treatment, major changes in lifestyle, and difficulty carrying out simple tasks that used to be easy. Depression might bring major changes in the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Normally, depression lasts only for a couple of days and then vanishes, but if depression lingers and begins to interfere with daily activities, it is time to take action.

Many heart attack survivors who are depressed do not even know it and ignore the signs. Knowing how you feel while you are depressed is a very important step toward seeking treatment and recovering quickly. A few symptoms of depression include:

• Crying often

• Lack of interest in daily activities

• Changes in appetite and weight

• Feeling sad

• Laziness or lack of energy

• Feeling guilty, worthless, helpless, or hopeless

• Loss of sexual desire

• Poor concentration and bad decisions

• Too much or too little sleep

• Irritability and restlessness

• Continuous headaches and pains that do not go away

• Thoughts of suicide and death

Someone suffering from depression will likely experience a few of these symptoms. Not every person with depression experiences the same signs and symptoms; they can vary depending on a number of factors including personality and health conditions. If symptoms persist for two weeks or more it is important to seek a doctor’s help.

The combination of a heart attack and depression is considered more lethal than one of the two because depression can keep you from recovering physically. It is therefore particularly important to treat depression after a heart attack to improve recovery.

Your treatment options include prescription antidepressants, psychotherapy, or sometimes both. If you take medication, ask your doctor whether the antidepressants are safe and that they will not interfere with your heart condition. Take the prescription per your doctor’s advice; medicine can take a few weeks to show signs of working. Be patient, and report any abnormal symptoms to the doctor at once. Though antidepressants are not addictive, they need to be stopped gradually; therefore, consult your doctor before stopping on your own.

The psychotherapy approach, on the other hand, works to expand social support and alter your view on negative thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy emphasizes a healthy lifestyle like balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep, relaxation methods, and stress management. All of these can help you manage depression. Studies show that both medicine and psychotherapy are effective in people who are depressed after a heart attack.

Apart from the medical help that you seek from your doctor, you can also take active steps to help yourself overcome depression. You might have a difficult time motivating yourself to engage in activities, but you should realize this is just a symptom of depression. Help yourself by:

• Planning to do something you enjoy like going to a picnic or a movie

• Engaging in light physical activity

• Taking part in social activities like clubs or religious groups

• Spending time with family and friends

• Helping a friend or family member with a task that makes you feel useful

• Reading motivational and self-help books

• Relaxing

• Managing stress with yoga or meditation

Conclusion

Detecting depression after a heart attack at the early stage and treating it is crucial to the recovery process. If untreated, depression can increase the risk of a second heart attack or worsen your existing condition. With the support of family and friends, along with medical treatment and proactive steps, you can overcome depression and live a heart-healthy life.