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Hearts and Minds: Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Unsung Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Alexandra L Silverman1, Alfred A Herzog2, David I Silverman3

  • 1From the Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA.

Cardiology in Review
|August 22, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Anxiety and depression are common in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, worsening outcomes and increasing cardiac event risk. These mental health conditions should be treated as key risk factors alongside traditional ones.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Anxiety, depression, and stress are prevalent in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients.
  • These conditions significantly elevate the risk of cardiac events and poorer prognoses.
  • A causal link exists between psychological distress and adverse cardiac outcomes like myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of anxiety and depression in CVD patients.
  • To advocate for the recognition of these mental health issues as concomitant risk factors for CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological data.
  • Analysis of pathogenetic mechanisms linking mental health and CVD.
  • Evaluation of current treatment modalities for psychological disorders in CVD patients.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of anxiety and depression in CVD populations.
  • Established causal relationship between psychological distress and adverse cardiac events.
  • Availability of effective psychologic and pharmacologic treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Anxiety and depression are critical, treatable risk factors in cardiovascular disease.
  • Integrated management of mental health is essential for improving CVD outcomes.
  • Treating these conditions as concomitant risk factors can mitigate cardiac events and enhance patient prognosis.

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