The interaction between psychological health and valvular heart disease: Pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment

Valvular heart disease is an increasing health concern in most developed countries due to aging populations resulting in increased prevalence. While there is significant focus on ensuring timely medical care and developing less-invasive procedures to treat the functional valve lesions, there is often little attention given to the psychological impact of valvular heart disease. Indeed while the impact of ischemic heart disease on psychological health and even the potential causative association between psychological illness and ischemic heart disease have been widely acknowledged, such a link is often not recognized in valvular heart disease. However among this unique population who are often older and frailer, assessment of psychological health may be even more important.