Between 20% and 30% of people diagnosed with heart disease also contend with anxiety or depression, according to a study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. And during the first year after having a heart attack or stroke, mental distress affects almost half of people.

That's not surprising. After all, it's troubling to contend with a potentially life-threatening condition.

The good news is that if you get care for your emotional distress, your future risks from heart disease are reduced dramatically.

A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that when patients who have been hospitalized for coronary artery disease or heart failure receive therapy and medication for their anxiety or depression, they reduce their risk of future hospitalization by up to 75%. And over the three years of the study, their risk of death fell by up to 67%.

Psychotherapy or medication alone also helped reduce the risk, but not as effectively.

We often say that managing chronic stress is one of the most effective ways to improve your mood and increase longevity — and this is one more example.

If you have heart disease, don't overlook the enormous benefits of professional therapy, combined with stress-reduction techniques such as physical activity (as recommended by your doctor), meditation, and cultivating a posse of supportive friends.