Association of Mental Health Treatment on Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure and Ischemic Heart Disease

BackgroundPrevious studies have not found an impact of mental health treatment on outcomes in patients with heat disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether individuals who received mental health treatment for anxiety or depression after being hospitalized for ischemic disorders or heart failure had a reduced frequency of re-hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits or mortality compared to those who did not receive treatment. MethodsA population based, retrospective, cohort design was used to examine the association between psychotherapy or antidepressant medication prescription and health service utilization and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and comorbid anxiety and/or depression. Those receiving versus not receiving mental health treatment were compared based on the frequency of re-hospitalization, emergency department visits, and mortality. ResultsThe study sample included 1,563 subjects who had a mean age of 50.1 years. Individuals who received both forms of mental health treatment were 87% less likely to be re-hospitalized, 73% less likely to have an emergency department visit, and 65% less likely to die from any cause. ConclusionsMental health treatment has a significant impact on outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease consisting of reduced hospitalizations, emergency department visits and in some conditions improved survival.