25. Depression or Low Mood
Living with heart failure can take a heavy emotional toll. Many patients develop depression or persistent low mood. They may feel hopeless, lose interest in hobbies, or withdraw from friends and family. This is partly due to the physical limitations of the condition and partly due to the stress of living with a chronic illness.
Depression worsens fatigue and reduces motivation, which can make managing the condition harder. Patients may stop taking medicines regularly or neglect diet and exercise. Unfortunately, families sometimes misinterpret this as stubbornness rather than depression.
Take Mr. Peter, a 70-year-old retired shopkeeper. Once cheerful, he stopped going to his community club after his heart failure diagnosis. He told his wife he felt like a burden and spent most of his time in bed. With counseling, support from his family, and gentle encouragement to rejoin small activities, his mood slowly improved.
Depression is not a weakness — it is a real symptom of heart failure. Addressing mental health is just as important as treating physical symptoms. Support groups, counseling, and sometimes antidepressant medications can greatly improve quality of life. Patients with better mental health also manage their heart condition more effectively.