Continuous anxiety and depression can take a heavy toll on the heart. Contrary to the common belief, heart disease is not just related to physical health. There also exist a number of psychological and mental factors that can be linked to it. Out of these, anxiety, depression and poor mental health are some of the most prominent ones. Depression and anxiety disorders may contribute to or worsen heart disease. As compared to people with a relaxed and easy-going demeanor, those who are more prone to anxiety can face a higher risk of developing heart disease. To assess problems related to anxiety in people suffering from heart disease, researchers at the Gottsegen Gyorgy Hungarian Institute of Cardiology, Hungary studied 180 men and women undergoing either heart bypass surgery or surgery on the heart valves, for a period of four years. Before having the procedure, patients completed standard questionnaires on depression and anxiety symptoms; they completed the same measures periodically over the four years following surgery. The results showed that patients with anxiety-prone personalities had a slightly higher death rate and a greater risk of hospitalisation in the four years following their surgery. Many patients - roughly half - had significant anxiety symptoms shortly before surgery; but such short-lived anxiety was not linked to death and hospitalisation rates in the long term. It was found that 'trait anxiety' or a person's general tendency to suffer from anxiety symptoms was linked to a poorer prognosis following heart surgery. Thus, chronic anxiety can cause persistent over activity in the nervous system, which can take a toll on the cardiovascular system over time. Anxiety may also affect heart health indirectly, affecting people's diets and other lifestyle habits. Through a correct assessment of psychosocial factors, one could help in identifying and avoiding risk of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity after cardiac surgery.
Psychosomatic Medicine,
October 2007