How Depression Affects Women With Heart Disease

By itself, clinical depression can affect the physical well being of women in many ways. Unfortunately, depression is also commonly an outcome of other diseases, causing even greater damage to women's physical health.

Studies show that there is a higher incidence of clinical depression in patients suffering from a disease such as heart disease. A study by the U.K. Department of Public Health showed that a cardiovascular event is often associated with an increased risk of depression. The study also stated that patients with "no recent history of depression suffering a cardiovascular event were likely to be diagnosed with depression." Women are particularly affected, since the female population in general suffers from depression in greater numbers than men.

Rehabilitation is the key to reducing the risk of a second heart attack. That includes promoting good mental health. Diagnosing and treating depression in heart disease patients, therefore, becomes an essential element for a full recovery from a heart attack.