Depression and perceptions about heart failure predict quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure

Mood is an independent predictor of mortality and quality of life (QoL) for people with heart failure. However, the underlying belief systems involved in mood are unknown.

We sought to identify psychological and clinical variables predicting mood and QoL for people diagnosed with heart failure (HF).

One hundred and forty-six HF patients were assessed with standardized measures, to determine their beliefs about HF, coping styles, mood, and QoL.

Patients with more negative beliefs about the consequences of HF and with less perceived control over symptoms showed maladaptive coping styles such as denial and behavioral disengagement, and more severe levels of depression and anxiety. Depression also independently predicted QoL outcomes.

Anxious and depressed patients have more negative beliefs about HF, leading to negative coping behaviors and poor QoL. Our evidence suggests that changing negative beliefs may improve the psychological well-being and QoL of patients, irrespective of disease severity.