Spouses of heart attack survivors
Spouses of heart attack victims have an increased risk of depression and anxiety, even if their partner survives, Danish research suggests. The study found that in the year after losing a spouse to a heart attack, partners were three times more likely to start taking anti-depressants. Even if their partner survived, the use of anti-depressants still increased by 17%, compared with the year before. The use of anxiety drugs also went up, the European Heart Journal reports. There are about 340 heart attacks in the UK every day - approximately 13% are fatal. Care needed Maureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "A heart attack can impact the whole family, and this study emphasises the importance of caring for the partners of heart attack sufferers. "We know that people can feel anxious or helpless when a loved one has a heart attack. It is essential they receive the emotional and practical support they need during this often traumati...