Mental Health Minute: Heart Disease and Depression-Englewood Hospital
Credited to Ilene Scalzi, CEM II
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
People who develop cancer, diabetes or in particular, heart disease are at higher risk for developing depression as well. Depression’s link to cardiac medication and post-cardiac surgery has been the topic of many articles in healthcare journals. Approximately 40 to 65 percent of post-cardiac surgery patients suffer from depression (source NIMH).
There are many reasons why depression goes undetected in people with cardiac conditions. Most people-including patients and their doctors-expect a person who has had a heart attack to be sad or depressed. So depression is often dismissed as a natural reaction to illness.
Another reason why depression is often missed is because some cardiac medications have side effects that can make people lose their appetite, have trouble sleeping or feel run down. Therefore, it’s hard to determine what a medication side-effect is and what a depressive symptom is.
Be on the lookout for symptoms of depression:
*Feelings of sadness and helplessness
*Worried restless and anxious
*Lack of energy
*Difficulty concentrating
*Sleeping too little or too much
*Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
*Thoughts of death or suicide
If you feel you have any of these symptoms, ask your doctor for a depression screening. For the most part, depression is effectively treated with medication and counseling.
Disclaimer: This information was taken from the Mental Health Minute newsletter from Englewood Hospital. Please check their website for more information.
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About jwatrel
I am a free-lance writer and Blogger. I am the author of the book "Firehouse 101" (IUniverse.com 2005) part of trilogy of books centered in New York City. My next book "Love Triangles" is finished being edited and should be ready for release in the Fall. My latest book, "Dinner at Midnight", a thriller is on its last chapter. My long awaited book explains the loss of the 2004 Yankee game to Boston.
I work as a Consultant, Adjunct College Professor, Volunteer Fireman and Ambulance member and Blogger. I have a blog site for caregivers called 'bergencountycaregiver', a step by step survival guide to all you wonderful folks taking care of your loved ones, a walking project to walk every block, both sides, of the island of Manhattan "MywalkinManhattan" and discuss what I see and find on the streets of New York and three sites to accompany it. One is an arts site called "Visiting a Museum", where I showcase small museums, historical sites and parks that are off the beaten track both in Manhattan and outside the city to cross reference with "MywalkinManhattan" blog site. Another is "DiningonaShoeStringNYC", featuring small restaurants I have found on my travels in this project, that offer wonderful meals for $10.00 and under. So be on the lookout for updates on all three sites and enjoy 'MywalkinManhattan'. The third is my latest site, "LittleShoponMainStreet", which showcases all the unique and independent shops that I have found on my travels throughout and around Manhattan.
I have started two new blog sites for the fire department, one "EngineOneHasbrouck HeightsFireDepartmentnj" for the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department to discuss what our Engine Company is doing and the other is "BergenCountyFireman'sHomeAssociation" for the Bergen County Fireman's Association, which fire fighters from Bergen County, NJ, go to the Fireman's Home in Boonton, NJ to bring entertainment and cheer to our fellow brother fire fighters quarterly.
bergencountycaregiver 
Please check the Englewood Hospital website for more information.
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