Depression And Cardiovascular Issues Are Often Connected

Depression can be treated with many different types of medications, but medications often  have  some  potential  cardiotoxic effects. Controlling depression by using ketamine can be a more rapid and efficient way of aiding the treatment of heart disease. In recent studies such as the one cited below, more and more medical professionals are beginning to make the appropriate connections between depression and other major illnesses, like heart disease..

In Depression and cardiovascular disease:
a clinical review David L. Hare Samia R. Toukhsati Peter Johansson Tiny Jaarsma Eur Heart J, Oxford Journal (2013) 35 (21): 1365-1372.
“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression are currently the two most common causes of disability in high-income countries and expected to become so for countries of all income levels by 2030. 1 The key health system and economic indicators relating to CVD and depression reveal rising medical costs, 2  increased health service utilization, 3 and lost productivity. 4,5 Additionally, CVD and depression profoundly impact the overall quality of life, 6,7 even more so for heart failure patients. 8 One could argue that depression is probably the most important driver of overall quality of life.”

Recent studies show that 40% of patients suffering from a Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) have depression, as do 40% of those suffering from a Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke). Not only does this add to the severity of the illness and the difficulties with treatment responsiveness it also drives the cost of treating the diseases up by approximately 250%. Although it is not clear if we are looking at cause or effect, these co-morbidities point to a need for the Depressions to be adequately treated.

We have made considerable progress in the diagnosis and treatment of depression beginning with proper screening and reliable diagnostic criteria. When anti-depressants and supportive therapy are paired, the risk factors of these comorbidities drop significantly.

Unfortunately, many antidepressants have some cardiac risk factors and others take a bit of time to begin working. For these patients, we can turn to using Intravenous Ketamine Infusions. Mood improvement occurs in a matter of days, and the patient’s progress in having his/her cardiac disease more effectively treated is self-evident.

What is Ketamine?
Since the late 1960s, Ketamine has been used as an FDA-approved anesthetic medication in anesthesiology. To some, Ketamine is best known as a party drug when used illegally to garner a hallucinatory effect.

Over the past ten years, Ketamine has been studied in patients with severe depression. A rapid instantaneous effect takes place immediately upon the drug being dispensed intravenously. When Ketamine is not abused and is administered by a well-trained physician, it can help with symptoms like moodiness, decreased concentration, low self-esteem, impaired sleep, decreased sexual desire, diminished appetite and alleviate suicidal thoughts.

During the treatment, the initial infusions usually take place over approximately two weeks with 6 infusions being administered every other day. In parts of the brain that control mood and emotions, the ketamine infusion creates new connections in the brain. These new connections help the brain to send positive signals to the psyche, along with beneficial physical conditions to the body. The effect is notable within hours, but most patients report the results are instantaneous. These astonishing changes are visible on brain scans and imaging. And the results are long lasting.

Ketamine IV therapy impacts both mood and anxiety and can result in positive treatment outcomes for the following disorders:
•  Severe or Chronic Depression
•  Bipolar Disorder
•  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
•  Post-Partum Depression (PPD)
•  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
•  Neuropathic Pain

Psychiatric Associates of Southwest Florida, PASWFL
Dr. Robert Pollack, a Board Certified Psychiatrist, has extensive experience in managing his patients that need this therapy. And he consistently sees the benefit of the Ketamine IV treatment in his patients that suffer from depression firsthand.

Ketamine Therapy coordinated by Dr. Pollack is a safe, reliable treatment tailored to each patient’s unique medical profile. They administer the therapy using state-of-the-art technology, which allows them to monitor and evaluate each patient’s response and progress meticulously.

About Dr. Robert Pollack
Robert W. Pollack, M.D. CEO is a Florida-licensed Board Certified Psychiatrist. He has been in practice since 1977 and has served the public in many capacities.

The American Psychiatric Association Board of Trustees, January 1, 2015, has granted him Life Fellow status.

Psychiatric Associates of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) is a private solely owned psychiatric medical practice located in Fort Myers, Florida. Dr. Pollack is currently the CEO of Psychiatric Associates of Southwest Florida and resides in Fort Myers. His practice serves people from ages 18 and up. His current special interests focus on the use of Genomics to aid in the determination of the most efficacious way to utilize psychotropic medications as well as the use of rTMS in the treatment of refractory depressions and other psychiatric illnesses.

At PASWFL, appointments are scheduled quickly, within one week of your call. For more information on Ketamine and our practice, please visit our website at www.paswfl.com.

PASWFL
6804 Porto Fino Cir #1, Fort Myers, FL 33912
Office: 239-332-4700 | TMS & Ketamine: 888-491-4171