Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Heart Disease and Depression
It's critical to treat both for a positive outcome
The following is a list of questions for discussion with your doctor about heart disease and depression from Second Opinion. But it is not a comprehensive list.
- How do I know if I'm depressed or just have a case of the blues?
- Are their other medical conditions that can produce similar symptoms?
- Should I have tests to rule out other conditions?
- What are the differences between mild, moderate and severe depression?
- What can I do to limit my risk for heart disease because of my depression?
- How does depression contribute to heart disease?
- Are there other physical illnesses I may be more susceptible to because of my depression?
- What are my treatment options? If applicable: Are my options limited because of my existing heart disease?
- What are the implications of not having treatment?
- Is it safe to have heart surgery when I'm still feeling depressed?
- If medication is prescribed:
◦ How will I know if new symptoms are a side effect of my medication or more symptoms of the depression itself?
◦ What medication side effects would make you take me off this medication and try another?
◦ Is trial and error the only way to find the right medication for depression?
- If psychotherapy is prescribed:
◦ What type of psychotherapy do you suggest? Why?
◦ How does psychotherapy help?
- Can my depression be cured or just managed?
- What should I do if I'm feeling suicidal?
- Are there sources in the community to help me?
- What does my family need to know?
This article reprinted with permission from Second Opinion, a public television health program hosted by Dr. Peter Salgo and produced by WXXI (Rochester, N.Y.), West 175 and the University of Rochester Medical Center.