As per a new study, people who undergo surgery for serious heart-valve defect experience less depression and anxiety after treatment. The research was done on people who have severe mitral regurgitation. It is a problem the people faces when the heart’s mitral valve fails to close tightly. As a result, blood takes a backward path and flows back into the heart.
The new study results are in contrast with old research that stated that one-quarter of patients suffering from mitral regurgitation has higher levels of depression and anxiety.
The new study took into account 131 patients who underwent surgery for treatment of mitral regurgitation. These patients were compared with other sixty-two patients who rejected surgery. Also, another group of 36 healthy people were taken into account. The study results are published in ‘The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.’
After the study, it was revealed that patients who underwent surgery showed lower levels of depression and anxiety. The quality of life improved considerably compared to other people in the two groups. There was no improvement in the group of people who didn’t have surgery to treat their mitral valve defect.
The study even revealed that mental health became better after surgery. It was also evident in patients who didn’t experienced physical symptoms such as shortness of breath or fatigue before surgery. The results were same in forms or surgery, minimally invasive or standard surgery.
Dr. Maurice Enriquez-Sarano of the Mayo Clinic states that early surgery in patients showed no direct patient benefits. However, the latest study breaks conventional results of the old study. Getting surgery to treat the valve diseases reduces psychological problems that are noticed when disease is left untreated. Thus, the study supports the concept of early valve repair. Dr. Daniel Ullyot said that results of the new study cannot be ignored and should be considered for further investigation.