"Depression After Cardiac Catheterization?" Asks Samantha
Page Last Updated: June 5, 2025
I recently received a unique question from Samantha, a caregiver. She writes, "My husband recently had a cardiac catheterization and appears to be depressed. Is it common for patients to become depressed following a catheter procedure?"
This is a phenomenal question. Unfortunately, I do not have a phenomenal answer.
However, I can share with you that your husband may be feeling common emotions of patients newly diagnosed with heart valve disease. Specifically, the biggest emotional challenges patients experience leading up to surgery, in my opinion, is fear, confusion, doubt and, most of all, loneliness.
Those emotions may or may not trigger your thoughts about a "depression" related to cardiac catheterization. It could be isolated to that one event. But, my gut tells me there is more to the story.
One thought for you... Patient cardiac depression following heart surgery can be a monster. In some studies, between 30% - 75% of patients experience some form of depression. Dr. Scott Mitchell recently stated, "I think there is a significant incidence of acute post-operative depression." That said, if you feel your husband is having behavioral challenges pre-surgery, you may want to consider some form of counseling (therapy) for him to assist and support his recovery.
I hope that helps share a little bit about depression and cardiac catheterization / heart surgery.
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Keep on tickin!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder
Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder
Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.
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Blog Categories
- Adam's Updates
- Aneurysms
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Before Surgery
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Medical Technology
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Patient Stories
- Pulmonary Valve
- Recovery
- Ross Procedure
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