Psychological interventions for depression in heart failure.

Heart failure is a common and growing health problem. Depression is prevalent among these patients and is associated with an increased risk of mortality, in some, but not all, studies. Depression may increase the risk of recurrent cardiac events and death, either through direct pathophysiological mechanisms such as thrombogenesis or ventricular arrhythmias, or through behavioural mechanisms. Depressed patients are less likely to adhere to their medication regimen and modify their lifestyle appropriately, thereby increasing the likelihood of recurrent cardiac events and death. The effects of psychological interventions for depression in terms of reducing depression and improving prognosis in patients with heart failure are unknown.