Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 22, 2025
Heart Attack Survivors Face High Mental Health Risks, AHA Warns
TLDR
- Addressing psychological distress after a heart attack provides a strategic advantage by reducing recurrence risk by 1.5 times and improving long-term health outcomes.
- The American Heart Association statement details how inflammation and stress responses link psychological distress to increased cardiac risk, with evidence-based treatments like CBT and SSRIs.
- Recognizing and treating post-heart attack psychological distress improves emotional well-being and quality of life, creating a more supportive recovery environment for survivors.
- Heart attack survivors with persistent psychological distress face nearly double the risk of future cardiac events, highlighting the critical mind-body connection in recovery.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it underscores a critical, often overlooked aspect of heart attack recovery: mental health. With up to half of survivors experiencing psychological distress like depression or anxiety, which can double the risk of future cardiac events, this revelation emphasizes that emotional well-being is as vital as physical healing. For readers, this means recognizing that heart health isn't just about diet and exercise; addressing mental health through therapy, medication, or rehab programs can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. It calls for a shift in healthcare approaches to integrate mental support, potentially saving lives and reducing recurrent heart issues in millions affected.
Summary
A groundbreaking scientific statement from the American Heart Association reveals that psychological distress is alarmingly common among heart attack survivors, with 33-50% experiencing depression, anxiety, psychosocial stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Published in Circulation and led by Dr. Glenn N. Levine of Baylor College of Medicine, the research highlights that these mental health conditions significantly impact physical recovery and long-term cardiovascular health. The statement emphasizes that persistent psychological distress lasting up to 12 months after a heart attack increases the risk of future cardiac events by nearly 1.5 times, with depression and PTSD doubling the risk of recurrent events or mortality.
The American Heart Association identifies biological and behavioral mechanisms linking psychological distress to worsened heart health, including inflammation, hormonal shifts, reduced blood flow (ischemia), and irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia). Vulnerable groups include women, those living alone, unmarried or unemployed individuals, immigrants, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions. The statement advocates for evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressant medications (particularly SSRIs), stress reduction techniques like yoga and meditation, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs, which combine physical exercise with mental health support but remain underutilized with less than 20% participation due to barriers like transportation and scheduling issues.
Erika Livingston, a heart attack survivor from Dallas, shared her personal struggle with anxiety and fear post-event, underscoring the critical need for mental health counseling alongside medical care. The American Heart Association calls for greater awareness, screening, and integrated care to address psychological distress as a potential cardiac risk factor, akin to high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, urging more research to confirm treatment impacts on long-term cardiovascular outcomes and improve holistic, patient-centered recovery.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Heart Attack Survivors Face High Mental Health Risks, AHA Warns
