Can anxiety and depressive disorders be triggered by myocardial infarction?

The aim of this study was to examine the association between psychiatrist-diagnosed psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular prognosis. The study determined that the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders was increased in patients after acute myocardial infarction. 

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is more commonly known as a heart attack. Heart attacks occur when the coronary artery (delivers blood to the heart) becomes suddenly blocked. The heart muscle cannot adapt to the change in blood flow quick enough. The main symptom is intense chest pain or tightness that sometimes moves down the left arm.

Anxiety and depression known adverse events of MI. This means they can commonly occur after a heart attack. Both anxiety and depressive disorders involve emotional and physical changes.

It is known that post-MI anxiety and depression can increase the risk of adverse events relating to the heart. These events can be life-threatening. 

Prior studies have used self-report methods whereby patients report if they have anxiety and depressive disorders, rather than diagnosis by a psychiatrist.  

This study examined the link between MI and anxiety and depressive disorders.

1396 patients with MI were involved in this study. 13,960 patients without MI were also involved in the study. Patients were followed for five years.

Patients with MI were over 5 times more likely to develop anxiety disorders and 7.23 times more likely to develop depressive disorders when compared to those without MI.

Of the patients with MI, women were 56% more likely to develop anxiety or depressive disorders. Also, those in the age group of 45 to 64 years were 29% more likely to develop anxiety or depressive disorders.

Patients with post-MI anxiety had a 9.37 times higher risk of suffering another heart attack than those without MI did.  

This study concluded that MI increases the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders. It was also concluded that post-MI anxiety disorders are linked to a higher risk of recurrent MI. 

Talk to your physician if you are concerned about anxiety and depressive disorders.