Archive · 22 Sep 2025
Mental Distress After Heart Attack Increases Cardiac Risk
Imagine your heart is like a car engine, and a heart attack is like a major breakdown.
After the breakdown, feeling stressed or sad (psychological distress) can make it more likely for the engine to have another problem.
This study found that up to half of the people who have a heart attack feel this way.
It could make it harder for the heart to heal and increase the chances of another attack.
Treating these feelings with therapy or medicine can help people feel better and lower the chances of future heart problems.
It is important to remember that taking care of the mind is as crucial as taking care of the body after a heart attack.
Psychological distress post-heart attack can increase the risk of another cardiac event.
Anxiety and stress may affect up to 50% of heart attack survivors during hospitalization.
Moderate psychological distress associated with a 28% increased risk of future heart attacks.
High psychological distress was associated with a 60% increased risk compared to low distress.
Treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy can improve mental health.
- Who
- Researchers from the American Heart Association
- What
- A study found that psychological distress after a heart attack increases the risk of another cardiac event.
- When
- Study results are based on follow-up over a mean of 4.7 years.
- Where
- Published in the journal Circulation
- Why
- To assess the impact of psychological distress on heart attack recurrence.
- Study Focus
- Psychological distress after heart attack and its effects
- Risk Increase
- 1.3 times increased risk of cardiac event
- Follow-up Period
- Mean of 4.7 years
- Distress Prevalence
- 33-50% of heart attack survivors experience psychological symptoms