American Heart Association Urges Screening Cardiac Patients for Depression

From the LA Times

Healing an injured or poorly functioning heart requires attention to a patient's mental well-being as well as to his or her physical health -- so much so that in October [2008], the American Heart Association recommended that doctors screen all heart patients for depression with a short questionnaire.

The American Psychiatric Association also endorsed this advisory, but some researchers think the blanket recommendation goes too far.

Dozens of studies have found depression occurring alongside heart disease. Whereas 4% to 10% of the general population reportedly suffers from depression, that number shoots to 15% to 40% in heart disease patients. But a survey found that about half of cardiologists don't address their patients' mental states.

"Depression is diagnosable, easily treatable and can make such a difference in the long-term outcome," says Dr. Carolyn Robinowitz, a psychiatrist in Washington, D.C. If doctors heed the new advisory, she says, "I think we will save a lot of lives."

"We would advocate that clinicians be more aware of depression. . . . We're just not advocating that everyone be handed a questionnaire." says lead author Brett Thombs, a psychologist at McGill University in Montreal.

Read the full article.