Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Cardiac Health

Summary

Dr. Amy Kobus, a licensed psychologist, discusses the significant impact of stress, anxiety, and depression on cardiac health. She explains how these mental health issues can interfere with cardiac rehabilitation and worsen heart disease outcomes, including increasing the risk of heart attacks and death. Dr. Kobus highlights the importance of behavioral health in managing stress, improving sleep, and supporting lifestyle changes like exercise and diet. She also covers the symptoms of anxiety and depression, effective treatments like psychotherapy and relaxation techniques, and the importance of social support in recovery.

Takeaways

• 💡 Stress, anxiety, and depression are interconnected and can significantly impact cardiac health.
• 🏥 Behavioral health plays a crucial role in cardiac rehabilitation and can positively affect lifestyle changes.
• 🔢 Approximately 70-80% of cardiac patients experience depression or anxiety, with 20-25% facing persistent issues.
• 🚑 Stress, anxiety, and depression are linked to worse cardiac health outcomes, including increased severity of heart disease and higher risk of death.
• 🤔 Anxiety is more intense than stress and can lead to disabling symptoms such as excessive worrying, muscle tension, and sleep problems.
• 😞 Depression is characterized by sadness, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness.
• 🧠 Education about depression, anxiety, and stress can help normalize these experiences and encourage positive coping mechanisms.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Stress management techniques, such as developing a positive attitude, setting boundaries, and managing time effectively, can alleviate stress.
• 💤 Ensuring adequate sleep, engaging in hobbies, and practicing relaxation techniques are beneficial for stress management.
• 👥 Social support is vital for coping with depression and anxiety, and psychotherapy can be effective for moderate to severe cases.
• 🌟 Psychotherapy helps in identifying and overcoming barriers to lifestyle changes and fostering a more positive outlook on life.

Q & A

Why is it important to address stress, anxiety, and depression in relation to cardiac health?

Stress, anxiety, and depression can interfere with completing rehab programs and adopting healthy lifestyle changes, which are crucial for cardiac health. They are also related to poor cardiac outcomes, including a higher risk of heart disease severity and cardiac events.

What percentage of patients experience depression or anxiety after a cardiac event?

About 70-80% of patients experience depression or anxiety after a cardiac event.

How does depression affect the risk of death post-cardiac event?

The risk of death is two times higher if a person is depressed versus if they are not depressed.

What is the difference between stress and anxiety as explained in the script?

Stress is considered a milder form of anxiety. Anxiety is more intense and tends to be disabling.

What are the common symptoms of anxiety?

Symptoms of anxiety include excessive worrying, feeling restless, muscle tension, difficulties relaxing, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and fear.

How does depression manifest and what are its symptoms?

Depression is characterized by a depressed mood or sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep problems, changes in appetite or weight, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and difficulties with concentration.

What are some treatments for depression and anxiety?

Treatments include education about depression, anxiety, and stress, stress management, relaxation training, increasing social support, and psychotherapy.

Why is it beneficial to learn about stress and anxiety?

Learning about stress and anxiety can help individuals understand that these feelings are normal and can be protective when they trigger positive coping strategies.

What role does stress management play in treating depression and anxiety?

Stress management helps by developing a positive attitude, setting healthy boundaries, managing time better, and ensuring adequate sleep and rest.

How can relaxation training help with depression and anxiety?

Relaxation training teaches skills like proper breathing, slowing down the heart rate, and imagery exercises to help individuals relax and reduce tension.

What is the significance of psychotherapy in treating anxiety and depression?

Psychotherapy can be very effective, especially for moderate to severe anxiety. It helps examine barriers to lifestyle changes, improve thinking patterns, and find more meaning and hope.

Outlines

00:00

💔 Impact of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression on Cardiac Health

Dr. Amy Kobus, a licensed psychologist, discusses the significant impact of stress, anxiety, and depression on cardiac health. She explains that while rehabilitation is effective, these psychological factors can impede the completion of rehab programs and affect lifestyle changes necessary for recovery. Stress and anxiety are common after a cardiac event, with approximately 70-80% of patients experiencing them, and 20-25% facing persistent issues. These conditions are linked to poorer cardiac health, increased severity of heart disease, and higher mortality rates. Stress and anxiety can be disabling, affecting self-care activities, social interactions, and adherence to medication and lifestyle recommendations. The distinction between stress and anxiety is clarified, with stress being a milder form of anxiety. Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, restlessness, muscle tension, sleep problems, and can lead to concentration difficulties and avoidance of social activities. Depression is also highlighted, with symptoms including a sad mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulties with concentration.

05:00

🛡️ Coping Strategies and Treatments for Depression and Anxiety

The script continues with Dr. Kobus discussing coping strategies and treatments for depression and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of education about these conditions, recognizing that stress and anxiety can be protective when they prompt positive coping behaviors. However, excessive stress or anxiety can be detrimental, leading to fears and negative beliefs about one's health. Stress management techniques are suggested, such as maintaining a positive attitude, setting boundaries, managing time effectively, ensuring adequate sleep, and engaging in hobbies. Relaxation training is also recommended to help reduce tension and anxiety. Increasing social support through communication with family, friends, and co-workers is highlighted as a key component of treatment. Psychotherapy is presented as an effective treatment, especially for moderate to severe anxiety, allowing individuals to address barriers to lifestyle changes and develop more positive thinking patterns. The overall message is that while stress, anxiety, and depression are common after a cardiac event, there are effective strategies and treatments to manage these conditions and improve cardiac health.

Keywords

💡Stress

Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. In the context of the video, it's discussed as a factor that can interfere with cardiac health and rehabilitation. Stress is described as a milder form of anxiety and is linked to poor cardiac health, increasing the severity of heart disease and the likelihood of cardiac events.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. The video explains anxiety as an intense form of stress that can be disabling. It's characterized by symptoms such as excessive worrying, restlessness, muscle tension, and sleep problems, and it can hinder a person's ability to engage in self-care activities and lifestyle changes.

💡Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and a decrease in energy. In the video, depression is noted to be common after a cardiac event and can lead to a higher risk of death. It's also associated with negative self-perception and a lack of motivation, which can affect one's ability to follow through with cardiac rehab programs.

💡Cardiac Health

Cardiac health refers to the condition of a person's heart and the overall functioning of the cardiovascular system. The video emphasizes the impact of stress, anxiety, and depression on cardiac health, suggesting that these mental health factors can lead to more severe heart disease and a greater chance of experiencing cardiac events.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation in the context of the video refers to the process of helping individuals recover and regain skills or functioning lost due to illness or injury, such as a cardiac event. It is mentioned that stress, anxiety, and depression can interfere with completing a rehab program, which is crucial for recovery.

💡Coping Mechanisms

Coping mechanisms are strategies used to manage stress or difficult emotions. The video discusses how stress and anxiety can be protective and positive when they trigger positive coping, motivating individuals to seek support and take care of themselves. However, negative coping, such as fear and hopelessness, can be detrimental to cardiac health.

💡Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that aims to help individuals with mental health issues by discussing their problems and emotions. The video mentions psychotherapy as an effective treatment for anxiety and depression, helping individuals to overcome barriers to lifestyle changes and develop healthier thinking patterns.

💡Relaxation Training

Relaxation training involves learning techniques to reduce stress and induce relaxation. The video suggests that relaxation training can be beneficial for individuals experiencing depression or anxiety, as it teaches skills like proper breathing and imagery exercises to help them relax.

💡Social Support

Social support refers to the assistance and encouragement provided by friends, family, and the community. The video highlights the importance of social support in treating anxiety and depression, as it can help individuals feel less isolated and more capable of managing their mental health.

💡Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes refer to modifications in habits and routines that can improve health and well-being. The video discusses how stress, anxiety, and depression can hinder lifestyle changes such as better sleep, exercise, and dietary habits, which are crucial for cardiac health.

💡Cardiac Event

A cardiac event is a medical term for any significant or potentially life-threatening acute disorder of the heart. The video explains that stress, anxiety, and depression are related to a greater severity of heart disease and a higher chance of having a cardiac event, such as a heart attack.

Highlights

Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect cardiac health and rehabilitation.

Behavioral health can positively impact lifestyle changes necessary for cardiac health.

70-80% of patients experience depression or anxiety after a cardiac event.

20-25% of patients experience persistent or long-term anxiety or depression.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are linked to poor cardiac health and increased severity of heart disease.

Depressed individuals have twice the risk of death compared to non-depressed individuals.

Negative coping mechanisms can hinder self-care activities and lifestyle changes.

Anxiety is more intense than stress and can be disabling.

Anxiety is characterized by excessive worrying, restlessness, and sleep problems.

Depression is identified by sadness, loss of interest, and sleep or appetite changes.

Depression can lead to feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and hopelessness.

Education about depression, anxiety, and stress can be a treatment.

Stress and anxiety can be protective when they trigger positive coping.

Excessive stress or anxiety can lead to negative outcomes.

Stress management involves developing a positive attitude and setting healthy boundaries.

Exercise and healthy diet are long-term benefits for stress management.

Relaxation training can help reduce tension and anxiety.

Social support is crucial for treating depression and anxiety.

Psychotherapy can be effective for moderate to severe anxiety.

Psychotherapy helps in identifying barriers to lifestyle changes and improving thinking patterns.

Transcripts

hi I'm dr. Amy Kobus I'm a licensed

psychologist in the department of

psychiatry and today I'm going to talk

with you about stress anxiety depression

and how it affects your cardiac health

you may be wondering why we should have

had to behavior health for cardiac

health what we know is that

rehabilitation works

however stress anxiety and depression

can interview with completing your rehab

program well we also know is that

behavioral health can also have a

positive effect on my stone change so

attending to your behavior how can

improve your ability to manage your

stress improve your sleep and it can

also help with your exercise and dietary

changes it can help with your exercise

and dietary goals stress and anxiety and

depression are very common after a

cardiac event but a lot of people don't

know this about 70 80 % of patients who

experience depression or anxiety and

about 20 to 25% of these patients also

experience persistent or long-term

anxiety or depression that's a lot of

people and what we know is that stress

anxiety depression is related to poor

cardiac health it can lead to a greater

severity of heart disease it leads to a

greater chance of having a cardiac event

such as a heart attack it can reach

greater severity of a heart attack

versus just having a mild heart attack

your risk of death is 2 times higher if

you're depressed versus if you're not

depressed stress and anxiety and

depression can also be negative and

disabling particularly if it triggers

negative coping by hindering your

ability to focus on self-care activities

such as talking with other people it

affects their ability to learn or act on

lifestyle changes and it might create

difficulties with following through with

recommendations for staying on

medications doing activity or exercise

or any dietary changes the outcome of

that it is you don't end up following

through with your cardiac rehab program

and it may take longer to return to work

if you end up returning to work at all

so what

is the difference between stress and

anxiety the very they use

interchangeably often stress is very

similar to anxiety I like to think of

stress as being a milder form in having

of anxiety anxiety is much more intense

and it tends to be disabling what is

anxiety and how do we recognize it when

anxiety is defined by a set of symptoms

and they these include excessive

worrying feeling Restless experiencing a

lot of muscle tension or difficulties

relaxing it can lead to sleep problems

for example sleeping too much or not

sleeping enough and when you're not

sleeping it usually makes all your

symptoms even worse anxiety can lead to

difficulties concentrating or memory

problems or even being able to learn

information it can make you feel fearful

it can lead to avoiding or withdrawing

from from your family from your friends

or activities that usually would do

anxiety can also lead to sometimes panic

attacks if severe enough it can affect

your functioning ability to perform

daily activities how about depression

what is depression how do you recognize

it

but depression is also characterized by

a number of symptoms most notably

depressed mood or sadness oftentimes

people who are depressed also few highly

anxious they lose interest in engaging a

pleasant or pleasurable activities they

can experience and sleep problems either

over sleeping or not sleeping enough

there's often a change in appetite or

weight sometimes you feel like you want

to eat all the time other times you have

no appetite at all it can lead to

decreased energy fatigue or motivation

to do anything

you may feel worthless or guilty and

blame yourself for any negative events

that happen depression also can lead to

difficulties with concentration it can

also make if you're hopeless and

helpless that you may feel like you're

hopeless to change your situation and

when it's more severe it can lead to

thoughts of self-harm and it can also

affect your

on a daily basis there are treatments

for depression and anxiety one of the

most common treatments is obtaining

education about depression anxiety and

stress so for example learning that

anxiety and stress is normal and it's

very common and it's also very positive

and protective so stress and anxiety can

be protective and positive when it

triggers positive coping and what we

mean by that is that it motivates you to

take your situation seriously but not so

seriously that it's immobilizing or that

you're mobilized by anxiety it helps you

to seek out support for example it

motivates you to talk with your friends

your spouse or your co-workers it

motivates you to seek care from your

healthcare provider and overall it helps

you to function better because it

motivates you to do the things that we

know helps you to take care of yourself

however it's also important to know that

too much stress or too much anxiety can

be negative especially if you tend to

cope with stress negatively and what we

mean by that is that you might

experience intense fear of having

another heart attack if you've already

had a heart attack or if you were to

pass at the time of that heart attack

you may fear becoming depressed again

and that fear can be really immobilizing

you might anticipate that your heart

problems or your cardiac problems will

last a long time or my last forever you

might experience intense anxiety with if

you've had it and implanted cardiac

device and it may you may feel anxious

that it's not going to work as its

intended or that there might be problems

related to it and you may also have

beliefs that your heart disease is

incurable untreatable and so that can

lead you to feel hopeless about your

situation

other treatments to successfully treat

depression anxiety include attending to

stress management what we mean by stress

management is for example developing a

positive or healthy attitude for example

also

seeing the lighter side of life or

finding humor in daily events learning

to say no or studying healthier

boundaries so that you don't experience

excessive stress learning to manage your

time better again to avoid experiencing

excessive stress what we also know is

that there's some long-term benefits of

exercise and healthy beauty including

that de-stress management another tool

for stress management is getting plenty

of sleep and rest finding time for your

hobbies and interests and actually

schedule in time for your hobbies and

interests and all these stress

management tools you can be done

individually and they can be done at

home you don't necessarily need to see a

professional you don't necessarily need

to to go into a professionals office to

do a lot of these strategies an

effective treatment for depression and

anxiety also includes relaxation

training a lot of times when people

experience a lot of depression or

anxiety or intense depression or anxiety

they experience a lot of tension it's

very difficult to relax and so engaging

in some relaxation training can be very

beneficial specifically you learn skills

to breathe properly to slow down your

breathing when you're feeling really

anxious - the relaxation skills to help

you slow down your heart rate and to do

some imagery exercises to again help you

to relax more we also can treat

depression anxiety by even increasing

your social support learning to talk

with your family members your co-workers

and your friends when you're feeling

really anxious and if you notice that

you're struggling to engage in social

support sometimes talking about what

seems to be getting in way of getting

social support can be really helpful one

of the most effective ways to treat

anxiety and depression is suicidal

therapy research has shown that for

moderate to severe anxiety psychotherapy

can be very effective as a treatment

either individually talking one-on-one

to

therapist or in a group setting well

psychotherapy you can examine some

barriers to lifestyle changes for

example what seems to be getting in the

way of stress management what seems to

be getting in the way of sleeping better

or engaging in exercise or healthy

eating habits in psychotherapy you can

also examine your thinking pattern are

there thinking patterns that are not

very healthy for example through

psychotherapy you can learn to be more

positive and view difficulties as

challenges that you can actually

overcome versus being overwhelmed by

them psychotherapy can also help with

finding more meaning and hope in