No matter the cause or which comes first, taking steps to support your overall health and wellness can help manage or prevent many mental health and heart issues, including heart failure.
Heart Failure and Mental Health Basics
To truly understand the link between heart failure and mental health, you should take time to learn the basics.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is when the heart muscle cannot pump blood throughout the body efficiently and effectively. It can develop suddenly or slowly over several years.
Congestive heart failure (CHF). With CHF, blood backs up in the circulation, and fluid collects in body tissues. The excess fluid often causes swelling in the legs or shortness of breath. There are two types of congestive heart failure:
- Diastolic heart failure. In this type, the left ventricle muscle is stiff and unable to fill with blood fully, limiting the amount of blood that is circulated.
- Systolic heart failure. This type happens when the left ventricle muscle is weak and cannot pump properly to circulate the blood.
Mental Health
Mental health is something everyone has. It includes emotional, psychological and social health and well-being. Your mental health affects:
- Behaviors
- Emotions
- How you handle stress
- How you relate to other people
- The choices you make
Mental health conditions are medical issues that affect your mental health. These conditions can range from mild to debilitating and may fluctuate over time.
It Isn’t Just in Your Head or Your Heart
Mental health conditions affect more than behavior, emotions and thoughts. They can also affect:
- Blood pressure
- Cortisol or other hormone levels
- Heart rate
- Inflammation
- Platelet activity, or blood clotting
- Sleep quality
- Weight gain or loss
Issues with any of these may negatively affect the heart or worsen symptoms of heart failure.
Similarly, heart failure affects your whole body and your ability to do everyday tasks. Symptoms of heart failure include:
- Brain fog, confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue, or extreme tiredness
- Shortness of breath when doing daily activities or lying down
- Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs
- Weight gain due to excess fluid
Looking for additional examples about the connection between heart failure and mental health? Here are six more facts.
1. A Cardiac Event Can Cause PTSD
A heart attack, heart failure that occurs suddenly, stroke or other cardiac event can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Having PTSD can also increase the risk of other cardiac events.
Additionally, it’s common for people living with the symptoms of heart failure to experience decreased quality of life due to challenges with daily self-care activities, participating in hobbies or spending time with loved ones. When this happens, anxiety or depression often develop, too.
2. Severe Mental Health Conditions May Lead to Earlier Heart Failure
People with heart failure and significant mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, may develop heart failure about seven years earlier than people without a mental health condition. Earlier heart failure often leads to more severe symptoms and decreased quality of life.
3. There’s More to Learn
The connection between heart and mental health is well established but still not fully understood.
People with one or more of the following mental health issues have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, the most common cause of heart failure:
- Anxiety disorders or symptoms of anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic or intense stress
- Major depressive disorder or significant symptoms of depression
- PTSD
- Schizophrenia
Similarly, people with heart disease have a greater risk of developing a mental health condition. While some things are known about these connections, more research is needed.
Much like the old chicken and egg questions, it often isn’t clear if a heart issue or a mental health condition developed first. Some research suggests heart and mental health conditions may share certain biological mechanisms or genetic markers.
4. Positive Mental Health Supports Heart Failure Treatment
People with mental health conditions may find it more challenging than others to stick with a new medication routine or cardiac rehabilitation program. This challenge can lead to worsening heart failure.
Similarly, it’s easier to stick with your cardiac treatment plan when you’re proactive about managing stress and taking care of your mental health by:
- Developing a gratitude practice
- Participating in activities that support mental and physical health, such as Tai Chi or yoga
- Practicing breathing exercises or mindfulness
- Seeing a counselor or therapist
- Setting healthy boundaries and learning to say “no”
- Talking with your primary care provider about any mental health concerns
5. A Healthy Lifestyle Lowers the Risk of Health Failure and Mental Health Issues
Many of the same lifestyle choices and factors can help you manage or prevent both heart failure and many mental health conditions. To boost your mental and physical health:
- Avoid or quit smoking
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Get regular exercise
- Limit or avoid alcohol
- Prioritize sleep
- Take all medications as prescribed
6. Social Support Boosts Heart and Mental Health
Social support is essential to taking care of your heart and mental health. Heart failure survival rates are lower for people who are socially isolated. Support groups for people with heart failure or mental health conditions can provide needed social connections and support.
Medically reviewed by Suzanne O’Keefe, DNP, CRNP, CHF Program Manager, and Kristina Evans, LCSW-C, Clinical Manager, Comprehensive CARE Center at UM Upper Chesapeake Health
