Final answer:
Based on research highlighting the link between heart disease and depression, it is plausible that Joann, a retired math teacher with heart failure, is struggling with depression. Depression is more common in heart disease patients and can raise the risk of cardiovascular events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Joann is a retired math teacher who is unable to maintain the level of activity she has been accustomed to because of the progression of her heart failure the past two years. She has struggled with depression' is potentially true based on research that shows a clear relationship between heart disease and depression. Studies indicate that patients with heart disease have a higher incidence of depression, and those with depression have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Furthermore, the severity of depression is correlated with higher risks. For example, depressed women were found to be 70% more likely to die from cardiovascular problems. The emotional burden of a reduced activity level, such as Joann's inability to maintain her previous activity due to heart failure, may contribute to her struggle with depression.
Understanding Joann's coping mechanisms could provide more personal context, but the general relationship between heart conditions and depression, as supported by research, suggests that her emotional state could be related to her medical condition. The complexity of depression's impact on heart disease is highlighted by findings that multiple negative emotional states can synergistically increase the risk of heart disease more than individual states alone.