Patients who have heart disease are much less likely to quit smoking than their non-depressed counterparts, according to new research.

A new study presented at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Research Day has highlighted the need for smoking cessation therapy in cardiac patients.

Quitting smoking is regarded as a crucial step in helping recovery after a heart attack, resulting in a 50% better chance of of survival.

Lead author of the study, Dr Frank Doyle of the College's Department of Psychology, said giving up smoking is the most important change that patients with heart disease can make to improve their prognosis.

"We have found that patients with depressive symptoms are less likely to give up smoking in the short and long term, with the majority having taken up smoking again after one year."

He said the research highlights the need for GPs both to treat depression in heart patients and to help them in smoking cessation.

Dr Doyle said it has been shown that patients who have had a heart attack and are depressed are at considerably increased risk of having a further heart attack or dying within a relatively short period than heart patients who are not depressed.

He said smoking may well be a factor in this.

"Smokers with heart disease may require aggressive depression treatment to enhance their chances of quitting. It is important that GPs provide treatment for symptoms of depression to coronary heart disease patuents on an ongoing basis."