Depression, anxiety may cause patients to leave cardiac rehab programs

Nearly one in five, 18%, had symptoms of moderate to extremely severe depression.

Anxiety and depression are common among participants in cardiac rehab programs, and that poor mental health may cause them to drop out, a new study finds.

One in five patients in cardiac rehab after a heart attack or a procedure to open clogged coronary arteries may suffer from moderate to severe anxiety or depression, Australian researchers say.

And one in four of those with moderate depression, anxiety or stress symptoms may drop out of their cardiac rehabilitation programs, according to the report published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

“Health professionals need to provide extras support for those with co-morbid mental health