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Depression a risk factor in causing a second heart attack

Ellesa Throwden reported this story on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 18:26:00

TIM PALMER: Last year heart disease cut short the lives of about 22,000 Australians.

Many who survived their heart attack found a new affliction followed: depression.

Now medical experts are pointing to the dangers of leaving that undetected and untreated, saying that depression can push survivors towards a second heart attack.

They say if patients' mental condition were screened at the same time they got their physical check up, more lives would be saved.

Ellesa Throwden Reports.

ELLESA THROWDEN: Bus driver Rolf Glockner considered himself a happy-go-lucky person until he survived a heart attack at the age of 48.

ROLF GLOCKNER: I had no idea. I knew about heart attacks and I knew they were dangerous, but beyond that, or what happens after that, I had zero idea about anything. I had no idea what I was in for.

ELLESA THROWDEN: Despite his second chance at life he was struggling to cope and everyday niggles became a major issue.

ROLF GLOCKNER: When I was driving, my wife said to me one day, she said "what's wrong with you?" And I said "what do you mean?" she said "you're just losing it on everybody on the road around you." I'm going right off.

The slightest little thing if somebody didn't indicate in time, or didn't give enough warning I just lost it.

ELLESA THROWDEN: And he is far from alone. Research shows that nearly half of all heart attack patients become depressed, and many aren't getting the help they need.

It can have fatal consequences and that's why Dr Robert Grenfell from the heart foundation wants all heart disease patients to have their mental health monitored, with ongoing screening on a yearly basis.

ROBERT GRENFELL: At the moment unfortunately, most patients who are having depression after having a heart attack go unrecognised. And even worse still, some practitioners and also families and carers consider that depression is just a normal part of coming from a heart attack.

Now this unfortunately needs to be addressed, patients need to be recognised and the depression needs to be managed.

ELLESA THROWDEN: Such measures are backed by mental health advocates. Beyond Blue CEO Kate Carnell says heart attack patients who are depressed are less likely to take medications and make the lifestyle changes needed to avoid a second attack.

KATE CARNELL: The problem that we've got is that they're less likely to take their medication properly, they're less likely to make the lifestyle changes that they need to make, such as get more exercise and have a better diet.

They're also less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation classes.

Now we know people with depression are much more likely to die, so if we can address the depression and anxiety we can significantly improve the health outcomes, and certainly save lives.

ELLESA THROWDEN: Twenty-two thousand Australians die from heart disease every year, it's hoped ongoing mental health screening will go some way to reducing the death toll.

Two years on from his heart attack Rolf Glockner says he is getting the help he needs, but the fear of a second heart attack remains a source of anxiety.

ROLF GLOCKNER: I've still got ups and downs but no, nothing like what it was. Look again, it's always in the back of my mind, you know, is it gonna happen again? And suppose I've almost sort of, almost talked myself into the fact that more than likely that's what's gonna get me one day.

ELLESA THROWDEN: He's hoping his story will inspire other heart attack victims not to ignore the signs of depression.

TIM PALMER: Ellesa Throwden with that report.

From the Archives

27th February 2003


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