Think happy thoughts to avoid depression after a heart attack

by Leigh Andrews, 18 February 2013

While heart attacks are serious in themselves, there are associated mental health risks that come after the heart attack has passed. Heart attacks can reduce oxygen flow to your brain, killing cells and causing memory loss. New research proves a scary link back to depression and further heart attacks. But we have a simple way to avoid this vicious cycle!

Prof. Claus Vögele, Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Luxembourg and lead author of Cardiac Threat Appraisal and Depression after First Myocardial Infarction has proven that heart attack survivors are three times more likely to develop depression in the first six months after their heart attack, than people with no heart disease. If left untreated, this contributes to further heart attacks and even death.

But it’s a vicious cycle, as studies also show that antidepressants that solve depression can lead to strokes and death. There’s a simpler way to heal from the heart attack and improve your mental health following the heart attack.

Here’s the easy secret to avoiding depression following a heart attack:

Leo Pozuelo, MD of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology writes on the Cleveland Clinic site that it’s common to feel sad or depressed after a heart attack as you don’t know what to expect or are unable to do simple tasks without feeling exhausted. So what should you do? The answer lies in talking it out. This is the basic idea behind optimum mental health.

Prof. Vögele says the study is among the first to show that the way patients think about their heart attack has an immediate effect on the likelihood of developing depression. For example, if they continue to perceive their heart attack as a serious threat then they are more likely to experience depression, even weeks after the heart attack. On the other hand, if patients have ways to focus their thoughts on their recovery and know how to ask for support from their friends and family, then this risk for depression is much reduced.

Prof. Vögele adds: “Psychological interventions in the immediate time after the [heart attack], for instance during the first two weeks, may protect patients from developing depression, and thereby contribute to a smooth recovery.”

You can ward off depression just by breathing properly and tapping your chest gently with the palm of your hands. We’ll show you exactly how – as well as many other little known ways to improve your health naturally – in Healing with Ki-Kou: The Secrets of Ancient Chinese Breathing Techniques. Click here to order your copy today!0

Tags: depression, heart attack, mental health, heart disease

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