This review outlines the prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms, and significant impact of comorbid depression on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life in patients with heart failure.
This review highlights the strong link between heart failure and depression, emphasizing its impact on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life, as well as the need for appropriate identification and management.
Heart failure is one of the most prevalent long-term physical health conditions. It is suggested that up to 26 million people are living with it worldwide including approximately 920 000 people in the UK. Evidence has consistently demonstrated the links between cardiac health and mental health; therefore, this article will explain depression and its presentation in heart failure, as these two conditions have been strongly and consistently linked. The prevalence of depression in heart failure will be reviewed from epidemiological studies and an overview of the impact of comorbid depression in heart failure will be provided, with a particular focus on mortality, morbidity and quality of life outcomes. The relationship between depression and heart failure will be discussed by examining pathophysiological and behavioural mechanisms, as well as evidence regarding the appropriate identification and subsequent management of heart failure depression will be reviewed.
Sharp et al. (2019) conducted a review in Heart failure and depression. Depression was evaluated. This review outlines the prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms, and significant impact of comorbid depression on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life in patients with heart failure.