Mental Health and Congenital Heart Disease

Born with pulmonary stenosis, Dianne Ruiz promotes benefits of healthy lifestyle among Hispanic Latinos and others.

Mental health support is an important part of overall care, especially in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). For adults with CHD, about 50% will have a mood or anxiety disorder in their lifetime. That number is about 30% for adults in the general population.

Depression in this group may be associated with:

• Being unable to complete daily tasks
• An increased risk for heart failure
• More adverse outcomes that can lead to worse health and greater need for health care services

Adults with CHD may have a higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder due to uncertainty regarding their illness and outcomes.

Health care professionals should regularly check for signs(link opens in new window) of:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Thinking or memory problems

They should refer patients to safe and effective treatments as needed.

Mental Health Support for Adults with CHD

For adults with CHD and mental health conditions, mental health support is most useful when it is timely. They may view their condition as a key part of who they are. How much they accept and think about their diagnosis can affect how often they use health care services.

Adults with CHD can have fewer symptoms of distress and depression when they receive targeted mental health support, including group or one-on-one therapy. Identifying high-risk CHD patients and referring them to mental health professionals may help their psychological symptoms, quality of life and heart health.

Neurocognitive Differences in Adults with CHD

There is limited evidence on thinking, memory and attention problems in patients with CHD. Yet it is likely that the impact of CHD and surgery in childhood continues to affect these functions in adulthood. More than 33% of adults with CHD ages 40 and older have pre-frailty, frailty or cognitive decline.

Patients may want to ask for neuropsychological testing. These results can guide therapies to help with academic, behavioral, psychosocial and adaptive functions. The testing should include standardized tests and questionnaires given by professionals. Diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation may help improve cognitive function and quality of life for people with CHD.