HEART AND SOUL

A major cardiac event can take a serious toll on your mental health. We profile two heart patients who learned how to bounce back.

What happens after a heart attack? The likely answer may be surgery, daily meds and cardiac rehabilitation, but a patient’s emotional recovery is just as crucial. Depressed patients are at higher risk of having future cardiac events and hospital readmissions in the next year—and are more likely to die, says Kim Feingold, Ph.D., founder and director of the Cardiac Behavioral Medicine Service at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern University. Between 20 and 40 percent of patients experience symptoms of depression in the days immediately following a cardiac event, she says.

“One theory is that depressed people may be less likely to take care of themselves—dropping out of cardiac rehab, not complying with their doctor’s recommendations, not taking medication or not quitting smoking,” says Feingold, one of the few cardiac psychologists in the country. Research shows that a physiological link may also exist. For instance, depression might actually have an impact on the heart’s electrical system.

In spite of the mystery of why depression hurts heart patients, the solution is straightforward. Simple fixes— such as short-term therapy, medication and exercise— can reduce post-heart-attack depression. And there’s even a silver lining: “A traumatic event can be a catalyst for positive change,” Feingold says. Here, we spotlight two survivors who overcame depression and anxiety to lead their happiest, healthiest lives yet.