Mechanical heart glowing with light inside a chest surrounded by flowers.

VADs and Mental Wellness: Surprising Impact on Depression and Anxiety

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New Study Reveals the Unexpected Psychological Benefits of Ventricular Assist Devices."

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are more than just mechanical hearts; they're offering a new lease on life for individuals with advanced heart failure. While the primary goal of a VAD is to support heart function, recent research is shedding light on an unexpected benefit: improved psychological well-being.

For years, the focus has been on the physical improvements VADs provide – increased mobility, reduced fatigue, and a return to daily activities. However, living with a chronic illness like heart failure takes a significant toll on mental health. Depression and anxiety are common companions, impacting quality of life and overall health outcomes.

Now, a groundbreaking study is challenging conventional wisdom, suggesting that VADs may actually have a positive impact on depression and anxiety. This article delves into the research, exploring the surprising link between VADs and mental wellness, and what it means for patients and their families.

VADs: A Positive Turn for Mental Health?

Mechanical heart glowing with light inside a chest surrounded by flowers.

A recent multi-center study tracked patients undergoing VAD implantation, assessing their psychological symptoms before and after the procedure. The results were striking: depression and anxiety scores significantly decreased after VAD implantation. This suggests that VADs may not only improve physical health but also offer a pathway to better mental well-being.

The study, which followed patients for up to 48 weeks, used standardized questionnaires to measure depression and anxiety levels. Researchers also assessed the presence of panic disorder, acute stress disorder (ASD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While a small number of patients initially experienced panic disorder symptoms, these resolved over time, and importantly, VADs did not induce PTSD, panic disorder, or ASD in the study group.

Decreased Depression & Anxiety: Patients reported feeling less depressed and anxious after receiving a VAD.
No Increase in PTSD: The study found no evidence that VADs lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Panic Disorder Relief: Initial panic symptoms resolved for some patients post-implantation.

These findings challenge the assumption that major medical interventions always lead to increased psychological distress. Instead, the study suggests that improving heart function and overall physical health can have a ripple effect, positively influencing mental health and emotional stability.

A Brighter Future with VADs

This research offers a hopeful perspective for individuals considering VAD implantation. It highlights the potential for improved mental well-being alongside physical health benefits. As one of the first studies to examine a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses in VAD patients, it paves the way for a more holistic approach to patient care.

While the study has limitations, including non-response rates at certain time points, the findings are encouraging. The researchers suggest that the positive impact on mental health may be due to the relief of heart failure symptoms and the improved quality of life that VADs provide. They also emphasize the importance of a strong social support network for VAD patients.

Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of considering the psychological impact of medical interventions. VADs not only extend lives but also offer a chance to improve mental well-being, contributing to a brighter and healthier future for patients with advanced heart failure.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.05.002, Alternate LINK

Title: The Relationship Between Psychological Symptoms And Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Journal: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Himali Weerahandi, Nathan Goldstein, Laura P. Gelfman, Ulrich Jorde, James N. Kirkpatrick, Edith Meyerson, Judith Marble, Yoshifumi Naka, Sean Pinney, Mark S. Slaughter, Emilia Bagiella, Deborah D. Ascheim

Published: 2017-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs), and what is their primary purpose?

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are mechanical devices designed to support the function of a failing heart. They are used to help individuals with advanced heart failure by assisting the heart in pumping blood throughout the body. The primary function of a VAD is to improve physical health by increasing mobility, reducing fatigue, and enabling a return to daily activities. This article highlights how they also positively impact mental well-being.

How do Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) affect mental health, according to the study?

The study indicates that there is a reduction in depression and anxiety scores following the implantation of Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs). The research tracked patients before and after the procedure, showing a significant decrease in these psychological symptoms. This is significant because individuals with chronic illnesses like heart failure often experience depression and anxiety, impacting their quality of life and overall health outcomes. The findings suggest that VADs may not only improve physical health but also have a positive effect on mental well-being.

What impact did the study find regarding PTSD and other psychological conditions in patients with Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)?

The study assessed patients for various psychological conditions, including panic disorder, acute stress disorder (ASD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results indicated that while some patients initially experienced panic disorder symptoms, these resolved over time. Notably, the study found no evidence that Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) induced PTSD, panic disorder, or ASD within the study group. This is important because it challenges the assumption that major medical interventions always lead to increased psychological distress.

Why are the study's findings about Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) significant for patients?

The study's findings are important because they offer a more hopeful perspective for individuals considering Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implantation. It highlights the potential for improved mental well-being alongside the known physical health benefits. These findings pave the way for a more holistic approach to patient care, acknowledging the interconnection between physical and mental health in the context of chronic illness management.

What is the main point of the study regarding the connection between Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) and mental health?

The research explores the surprising link between Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) and mental wellness. It emphasizes that the improvements in physical health brought about by VADs can have a ripple effect, leading to better mental well-being. By showing a decrease in depression and anxiety scores post-implantation, the study underscores the importance of considering mental health in addition to physical health when treating patients with heart failure. The findings challenge traditional assumptions, suggesting that improving heart function can lead to better emotional stability.