Depression and Heart Failure

The year is 2023 and more and more people are talking about mental health. Mental health is being taken more seriously, and as someone who struggles with their mental health, I think this is wonderful.

Many people that I love and care for also fight the mental health battle. This got me thinking about how our mental health is connected to heart failure. Depression affects many people and can occur in people with heart failure. ¹

My Dad's heart and mind

My father's heart was full of farm life, laughter, chocolate, and sports. He was a hard-working, kind man who loved his family, though he was not without faults, like the rest of us. He did the best he could with what he had.

My dad had heart failure for as long as I can remember. He went for multiple procedures and his daily medication regime was stringent at best. He passed from a final heart attack a few years back, on his farm, where he was happiest. 

He also had mental health issues, and depression was something he was medicated for, for most of his adult life. He struggled with this and was wildly stubborn about talking about it and having anything "done" about it.

I strongly recall seeing more than once where he did not take his medication and it was not a fun time. Not for him, or anyone around him.

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that shows up as consistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest.¹

While depression is often spoken about, I think it is important to know what depression is. According to Cleveland Clinic, those who have depression might experience some of the following symptoms:²

• poor concentration skills
• feelings of excessive guilt and/or low self-worth
• hopelessness about the future and in general
• thoughts about dying
• disrupted sleep patterns
• changes in weight or appetite
• feeling fatigued and very tired with low energy

While not limited to the above symptoms, I do find that these were very descriptive and what I experience with my own depression.

It is important to know that we all experience things in our own way. It is vital that if you are experiencing anything like this you need to reach out to your medical professional.

Things I do at home to manage my own depression

Depression needs attention, it needs to be treated gently and with professional help. In addition to attending regular therapy (I was a reluctant beginner), I make sure to do any homework that my therapist gives me and I make a concerted effort to take care of my mental health at home.

Sometimes it is just small things every day. Sometimes it is saying yes to something I automatically wanted to say no to and visa versa. 

I make an effort to journal and jot down how I am feeling and also have a page where I just empty my mind of all thoughts and feelings. (Journals I often times take it with me to therapy, too.)

Making space once a day to do something for me is also important, along with listening to some preset guided meditations. This could look like a peaceful bath or a nice coffee and reading my book for an hour.

Walks, short walks, long walks, a walk around my complex, or a walk in nature, I take my mental health for a walk. If I had a dog, this could be a lot easier, seeing as my cat is not keen on walks.

Reach out

If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please reach out to someone you trust to talk about how you are feeling, and call a helpline if it is an immediate crisis. You deserve peace of mind, and you deserve to get the help you need, to increase your quality of life.