Link between depression and heart disease uncovered

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

People diagnosed with depression have double the risk of developing heart disease in later life.
Previous research has suggested a link between depression and heart disease. This is now clarified by a new study from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. They examined hospital discharge records from 1987 to 2001, focusing on nearly 45,000 diagnoses of depression. Of this group, nearly 2,000 went on to develop heart disease in later life.

The individuals with depression were 1.5 times more likely to develop heart disease. If the depression was diagnosed between the age of 25 and 39 the risk of heart disease was around three times. The findings show the importance of diagnosing and treating depression promptly. It's not just short-term treatment, but maintenance treatment of depression, that is probably important in safeguarding long-term heart health.

Source
American Journal of Preventive Medicine December 2005

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