Coping with depression when you have a heart or circulatory condition

It’s common to have a range of emotions after a life changing event like a heart attack, stroke or surgery. People tell us they feel angry, shocked, anxious, guilty, confused and often sad. But it’s important to recognise when these feelings aren’t temporary and start affecting your relationships and quality of life.

What are the signs that I might have depression?

If you are feeling low about your heart or circulatory condition, it’s important to recognise when bad days outnumber the good. Signs and symptoms of depression may include:

• feelings of hopelessness
• feeling isolated and alone
• irritability
• no interest in activities you used to enjoy
• a change in the way you usually eat or sleep
• excessive crying
• always feeling tired
• lack of appetite
• getting annoyed about small things.

If you’re unsure about what you’re going through, visit the NHS website and try using their self-assessment tool.

How can I improve my feelings of depression?

Sometimes mental health struggles can send you into a cycle of unhealthy habits, which can make you feel worse and impact your mood and health problems.

Being depressed may mean that taking care of yourself is the last thing on your mind. If you’re able to improve how you’re feeling, it may have a positive impact on your physical health.

You might be able to improve how you feel if you:

• Acknowledge when the emotions are overwhelming by talking to a friend or family member.
• Start a journal to record any good days and write down how you feel on bad days – this may be useful if you need to talk someone about it. 
• Talk to someone professional – look into NHS recommended helplines to talk about how you are feeling.
• Lifestyle plays an important part in mental health, visit our healthy living section for more information.
  
  

Every Mind Matters

Get tailored ideas to help you manage anxiety, sleep better and boost your mood with the Every Mind Matters mental health action plan from the NHS. 

• Get your action plan

Heart Helpline & other support:

If you need further support because you’re experiencing strong feelings of depression or hopelessness, there is help available for you:

• Call our Heart Helpline.
• Mind Infoline - For information on mental health problems and treatments. Call 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans - offers confidential emotional support for anyone who wants to talk to someone supportive and non-judgemental. Call the helpline (24 hours): 08457 90 90 90.
• Health in Mind has free NHS services for anyone with a long term health condition needing emotional support.
• Rethink Mental Illness - 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
• NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (England)
• Scottish Association for Mental Health – 0800 917 3466
• Hafal (Wales) – 01792 816600
• Inspire - N. Ireland– 028 9032 8474