The American Heart Association suggests screening and close monitoring of heart patients for depression. Studies show that people who had a heart attack or those with heart conditions are three fold more prone to have depression.
Statistics published in some journals also show that only 50 % of heart doctors monitor and treat their patients for fighting their depression. It also states that not all patients diagnosed with depression are getting proper care and treatment.
Depression may play a major role in the quality of life of a heart patient. Untreated depression may result to poorer daily practices like skipping of prescribed medications, not following of the designed rehabilitation program, or not following the recommended diet.
The study also emphasized the importance of the participation of the whole health care team to determine if the patient is suffering from depression.