Depression
Depression is an independent heart failure
risk factor particularly for women. According
to a study published on 2004 by the Journal of
the American College of Cardiology5,
nearly
half of the heart failure patients surveyed were
found to be depressed. On March 2008,
researchers from the University of Maryland
School of Medicine reported that depression
may promote stiffening of the heart
tissue which aggravates heart failure.
Depression is common in patients with heart
failure, both male and female, due in part to
social isolation and to the adjustment to a
chronic disease. Download and complete the
depression scale provided here
than 4 points discuss it with your health care
provider in your next visit. Depression can
affect your functional status and reduce
adherence to your treatment plan.