Researchers at The Ohio State University have published a study showing that treating heart patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety significantly reduces emergency room visits and readmissions. This research today American Heart Association Journalpointed out that depression and anxiety are common in heart failure patients.

“For patients admitted with coronary artery disease or heart failure and diagnosed with anxiety or depression, treatment with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both reduced hospitalizations or emergency department visits by as much as 75%. ” said Philip Binkley, M.D., associate chair of internal medicine and professor emeritus of internal medicine and public health at The Ohio State University. “In some cases, the number of deaths has decreased.”

For the study, researchers enrolled 1,563 patients over three years, ages 22 to 64, who were hospitalized for the first time with artery blockage or heart failure and had made two or more insurance claims for depression or anxiety disorders. . Sixty-eight percent of study participants were female and 81% were Caucasian. All participants had been enrolled in Ohio’s Medicaid program for 6 months prior to hospitalization.

Health data for the study were extracted from two sources: Medicaid claims and Ohio death certificates from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012. All study participants were followed until the end of 2014 or until the end of their Medicaid enrollment.

Treatments for anxiety and depression varied by cohort.

• 23% of participants received both antidepressants and psychotherapy.
• 15% received psychotherapy only.
• 29% took antidepressants only.and
• 33% did not receive mental health treatment.

In this study, emergency department visits and readmissions were significantly reduced for patients receiving any treatment for anxiety or depression, and patients who received both medication and talk therapy to treat their symptoms. It was found that the group showed the greatest decrease. In this group, the risk of readmission was reduced by 68% to 75%, and the risk of visiting the ER was similarly reduced by 67% to 74%. The risk of death from any cause was reduced by 65% ​​to 67%.

Other treatments also showed benefits, although they were not significant. Psychotherapy treatment alone reduced the risk of readmission by 46% to 49% and reduced emergency department visits by 48% to 53%. On the other hand, drug therapy alone reduced readmissions. ER visits decreased from 41% to 49%.

“Heart disease and anxiety/depression interact, and each promotes the other,” notes Binkley, the study’s lead author. “There appears to be a psychological mechanism linking heart disease to anxiety and depression, which we are currently investigating. Heart disease and anxiety/depression are both associated with activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This is a so-called involuntary It is part of the nervous system and can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can also contribute to anxiety and depression.”

Dr. Binkley noted that this study points to the benefits of combining anxiety and depression treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease.

“Our findings motivate cardiologists and health care professionals to routinely screen for depression and anxiety, and demonstrate that collaborative care models are essential for managing cardiovascular and mental health. We hope to demonstrate this,” he concluded. “We also hope that these findings will spark further research into the mechanistic links between mental health and heart disease.”