Persistent depression after heart trouble harmful
Date updated: February 05, 2008 Content provided by
Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Persistent depression is
associated with worse physical health a year after heart attack or
severe chest pain -- known by the umbrella term "acute coronary
syndrome" (ACS), researchers from Canada report.
Dr. Brett D. Thombs, from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, and
colleagues investigated whether symptoms of depression during and after
hospitalization for ACS predict physical health status 12 months after
ACS in a study of 425 patients.
Based on these findings, Thombs and colleagues think doctors should
assess symptoms of depression, "not only at the time of the acute ACS
hospitalization, but also subsequently during follow-up visits."
SOURCE: American Journal of Cardiology, January 1,
2008.