Older heart disease survivors (≥65 years) report less anxiety and depression than younger patients, with heart-associated disability being the strongest predictor of emotional distress.
Suggests closer distress monitoring in younger cardiac patients; leaves open causal mechanisms and intervention targets.
Anxiety and depression for 399 survivors of a 1,102-member heart disease cohort were assessed 8 to 9 years post-hospitalization. Approximately one-third reported symptoms of emotional distress and one-fourth were on anti-anxiety drugs. Predictors of anxiety and depression were analyzed through logistic regression. Subjects age 65 and over were less likely than younger patients to report anxiety or depression and also reported less heart-associated disability, the strongest predictor of distress for both age groups. Other significant predictors included a previous history of distress, low income, female sex, and beta blocker use.
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Nickel et al. (1990) studied this question.
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