The Impact of Psychological Distress and Cognitive Impairment on Adherence to Treatment Recommendations in Heart Failure Patients Treated with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

by Luyster, Faith S.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious illness that requires alterations to one’s lifestyle such as complex medication regimens and monitoring sodium and fluid intake in order to suppress heart failure symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization. However, CHF patients are often poor at following physician’s recommendations (van der Wal, Jaarsma, & van Veldhuisen, 2005). Psychological distress may interfere with patient adherence to medical recommendations. In addition to psychological distress, cognitive impairment may have detrimental effects on treatment adherence. The present study evaluated the impact of psychological distress and cognitive impairment on self-care behaviors in CHF patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Higher levels of depression and anxiety were associated with poor adherence to diet and exercise recommendations. Results suggest that psychological distress is associated with poor adherence to treatment recommendations in heart failure patients treated with an ICD. Cognitive impairment was not found to be associated with adherence to treatment recommendations. Thus, interventions that treat distress are needed.