Cardiac history and post-stroke depression association in Chinese stroke survivors: a cross sectional study

A substantial body of evidence indicates that stroke is a primary cause of death and disability on a global scale. The presence of post-stroke depression has been demonstrated to exert a substantial influence on the prognosis of stroke patients, underscoring the imperative for the identification and early prevention of post-stroke depression. The objective of this study was to examine the association between cardiac history and post-stroke depression (PSD) in Chinese stroke patients, with the aim of identifying high-risk groups, promoting early intervention strategies, and enhancing patient prognosis. This study was based on data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which included 933 respondents with a history of stroke. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effects of cardiac history and other variables on post-stroke depression (PSD). The results indicated a correlation between cardiac history and post-stroke depression (PSD). In addition, the data showed that gender, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive functioning, and life satisfaction also had an effect on post-stroke depression (PSD). The findings presented here indicate that patients with a history of cardiac disease are more likely to develop post-stroke depression. This provides valuable insights into the clinical management of stroke patients and the prevention of post-stroke depression. The emotional health assessment of such patients should be emphasized in clinical management, and appropriate psychological support and interventions should be provided to improve their overall prognosis.