New research from a veteran-focused healthcare provider shows that U.S. veterans suffering from heart disease and depression are more likely to struggle receiving regular healthcare access and paying bills compared to those that don’t face mental health challenges.

The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2017 Scientific Sessions.

Study investigators used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, which includes more than 13,000 veterans that were diagnosed with a heart attack, stroke or coronary heart disease.

About 22 percent reported being diagnosed with depression, and of them, most were older minorities in a low socioeconomic bracket. They also had higher rates of blood pressure, cholesterol, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma, smoking and obesity.

Overall, results showed that veterans with heart disease and depression were about twice as likely to report trouble with paying for medical care and reported a delay in seeking medical care. Additionally, they were 45 percent more likely to report difficulty with purchasing prescription drugs.

"All healthcare providers who treat veterans with depression should routinely ask their patients about any difficulty with being able to pay for medical care or medications," said Puja Parikh, MD, the lead author on the study and an interventional cardiologist and assistant professor at Stony Brook School of Medicine and Director of Invasive Cardiology at the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York, in a statement. "In some cases, less expensive medications can be considered and 90-day supply of drugs can be prescribed instead of a 30-day supply which can reduce costs. We can also recommend working with a social worker to obtain vouchers or coupons from pharmaceutical companies to get further financial assistance with medication costs."

The study also advised that physicians regularly screen veterans for depression and heart disease, and be aware of the increased risk factors if they suffer from both conditions. Parikh said that healthcare providers should educate patients on how to safely take cardiac medication to ensure the healthiest outcomes and prevent drug abuse.

Future studies could examine other mental health conditions veterans are susceptible to, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, Parikh said.