This is reflected in appetite, sleeping patterns and mood. It is clear that many of these symptoms can be treated with medications, with help from a psychiatrist who is trained to recognize these symptoms. Family members and the patient s doctor should be quick to recognize these symptoms and offer proper referrals. The nature of the depression is such that the patient frequently can t help him or herself so they will need the help of caregivers. But many also suffer from depression.
Researchers are uncertain how and why depression and heart disease are linked.
Unfortunately, many depressed heart patients are either misdiagnosed when they seek help for their feelings, not treated at all, or treated incorrectly for their condition. And some doctors are concerned that if untreated, severe depression can put a heart patient at risk of a second heart attack. A recent study may confirm this concern. In a study of 119 clinically stable, Norwegian patients with congestive heart failure, the severely depressed participants were about four times more likely to die within two years compared with the non-depressed patients. The investigators did not seek further and detailed information regarding mode of death, because a majority of these patients died in the hospital and autopsies were not performed.