{"id":10031,"date":"2023-04-11T23:15:52","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T23:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=10031"},"modified":"2023-04-11T23:31:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T23:31:05","slug":"dealing-with-anxiety-or-depression-after-a-heart-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/dealing-with-anxiety-or-depression-after-a-heart-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping With Mental Health Challenges After A Heart Attack"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Having a heart attack can be frightening; therefore, it is common for people to experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression after surviving this life-changing event. \u00a0In fact, the risk of depression is three times higher in heart attack survivors when compared to the general population; more than 25% of survivors experience anxiety after a heart attack, and 1 in 8 heart attack survivors experience symptoms of PTSD.<\/p>\n

Mental health challenges often develop after a cardiac event because there is an uncertainty of things to come or a fear that it can happen again.<\/p>\n

Feeling afraid, sad, confused, worried, stressed, or angry is expected in the days or weeks of having survived a heart attack. \u00a0However, it is important that these emotions are addressed with urgency and managed because they can affect recovery. \u00a0Untreated stress, anxiety, or depression can lead to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate or blood pressure that put a strain on the heart.<\/p>\n

Being aware of these negative emotions and learning how to cope can improve mental health. \u00a0This can be achieved by identifying triggers and practicing stress or anxiety-reducing exercises such as:<\/p>\n