Anxiety and Depression Among Patients Who Had Cardiac Intervention in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: This research examines the effects of depression and anxiety on patients' recovery and quality of life following cardiac intervention, highlighting the frequent occurrence of these psychological conditions after ICU stays and intensive rehab, emphasizing the need for addressing pain perception and providing patient education and counseling. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used, and the research was conducted in Saudi Arabia from April 2023 to September 2023. All participants were from Saudi Arabia and had cardiac intervention. Questionnaires collected data: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. Results: Among the 543 patients included who underwent cardiac intervention, 61.3% (n=333) were males, and 38.7% (n=210) were females. The most common types of intervention were percutaneous coronary intervention (30.8%, n=167) and coronary artery bypass grafting (26.7%, n=145). Notable comorbidities included arrhythmia (22.1%, n=120), diabetes (42.7%, n=232), high cholesterol (41.8%, n=227), hypertension (52.3%, n=284), a sedentary lifestyle (37.8%, n=205), and smoking (33.1%, n=180). Patients with depressive and anxiety symptoms were further categorized into different levels of severity based on their PHQ and GAD-7 scores, respectively. Conclusion: Our study indicated a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in this population. Factors such as comorbidities, demographics, and intervention characteristics were associated with the presence and severity of these symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological well-being and implementing targeted interventions to improve the mental health outcomes of cardiac intervention patients in Saudi Arabia