Depression Bad For The Heart Say Researchers

Jacksonville – A new study shows that depression may be associated with hurting the heart. Heart failure affects 5 million Americans today and increases the risk of heart failure in patients by 50%. It has been found that those with heart disease that is caused by blockage of the coronary arteries have a higher risk of developing heart failure if they become depressed. This is true regardless of whether they are taking an antidepressant medication or not.

According to Utah researchers, heart disease and depression together is a deadly pair. The risk of a depressed patient dying from heart disease is twice as high as someone without depression. Previous studies have shown that depression is three times more likely after a heart attack and that depressed patients are at an increased risk of a second heart attack. Depressed patients with heart disease are more likely to stop taking their heart medications and are less likely to stay on a diet that is healthy for the heart and they do not make sure they are getting regular exercise.

A recent study was led by Heidi May of the Intermountain Medical Center in Utah and was based on 14,000 patients. At the beginning of the study, no patients had heart failure or a diagnosis of depression; all of the patients did in fact have clogged arteries. The patients were watched to see if and when depression developed and see if it led to heart failure of any kind. It was surprising to find that those who suffered from depression had their heart failure risk increase 50%. Researchers also found that this risk was still high even after prescribing antidepressants. This study was published and can be found in the Journal of American College of Cardiology.

The results of today’s research can now change the way doctors evaluate and treat those patients diagnosed with heart disease. More studies in fact need to be done to clarify the definite links between the two disorders and what can be done to help patients.