Quality of life and depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure

Heart failure is defined as a complex of symptoms and complaints as a result of a failing pumping capacity of the heart. Patients with heart failure often suffer from breathlessness or fatigue, either at rest or during exertion, and/or oedema. These symptoms have a major impact on the daily lives of patients. In addition, treatment, life-style changes and insecure prognosis have a major influence on their quality of life and depression or depressive symptoms can develop. Depressive symptoms are often described among patients suffering from a chronic condition and are also present in patients with heart failure. Studies in patients with heart failure suggest that the presence of depressive symptoms is associated with an increase in readmission and mortality rates and is therefore seen as an important problem.