Anxiety in Heart Failure Patients: Its Association with Depression, Cognition, Personality, and Quality of Life

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a disabling diagnosis with an unfavorable prognosis, which is considered a worldwide public health problem and the first cause of death when compared with other cardiovascular diseases. Research showed that the relationship between psychological disorders and cardiovascular diseases increases the risk and worsens the prognosis of these diseases. Despite being the most present psychological symptoms in this population, anxiety and depression have received less attention in the context of HF. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of HF patients, to relate their anxiety levels to depression, age, LVEF, cognitive performance, quality of life (QoL), and personality. For that, we assessed 89 patients diagnosed with HF. Results showed that higher levels of anxiety were associated with higher levels of depression, worse cognitive performance, perception of worse QoL, and lower emotional stability. When depression levels were controlled, anxiety continued to affect cognitive performance, emotional stability, and QoL. These results have important implications for clinical practice and for research in the field of psychology, showing the need for development of better approaches and management of these patients in outpatient care.