Heart attack increases mental health risk in spouses

Heart attack increases the risk of mental health in the spouse of the patient, even if they survive.

According to a new study, the partner of somebody who has a sudden heart attack is more likely to develop depression, experience anxiety or commit suicide, no matter the fate of their spouse.

Researchers claim that partners of those that have heart attacks suffer more than those of patients with other conditions.

It was also found that men are more likely to have mental health problem and commit suicide than women.

Dr Emil Fosbøl, first author of the study, commented: "We found that more than three times the number of people whose spouses died from an AMI (acute myocardial infarction) were using antidepressants in the year after the event compared with the year before."

The findings indicate that targeted support for spouses of heart attack patients may be beneficial to prevent the development of mental health complications.

Read about support and personalised care at Barchester care homes for anyone with mental health concerns.