Depression And Heart Disease
December 13, 2008 by rainier
Depression can affect the heart in many ways, both before and after heart disease. It can disrupt the heart’s rhythm, encourage inflammation and blood clots, and bathe the body in stress hormones that can raise blood pressure and harden arteries.
People with blocked coronary arteries have reduced blood flow to the heart, but they can also have blockage in the arteries in their brain making them vulnerable to strokes.
Strokes can affect mood and trigger depression, says experts. Small areas of brain damage caused by cerebrovascular disease are also associated with an increased risk of depression.
The Mood-Heart Link
On one level, it’s as simple as taking care of yourself: People who are depressed, angry, anxious or highly stressed are less likely to eat healthfully, exercise regularly, quit smoking or take their medication as directed. But negative thoughts and feelings may also harm the heart more directly. Depression and anxiety disorders can alter heart rhythms, raise blood pressure and increase blood-clotting factors.
Meanwhile, the “stress” hormones norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol—often released in abundance when people are depressed or angry—may increase such heart disease risk factors as inflammation and insulin resistance, notes Edward Suarez, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at Duke University’s school of medicine in Durham, NC.
Blood pressure is part of another mood-heart link. Studies show that some people react to stress or anger with spikes in blood pressure, which over the years increases their risk of atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart attacks. The turbulent blood flow during these spikes may damage blood vessel walls and make a person more susceptible to plaque buildup, says Richard Jennings, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
4 Ways to Lift Your Spirits
* Walk. Incorporating 30 to 45 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise into each day isn’t just good for the heart, it helps treat depression—and may even prevent it from recurring.
* Dine on fish. Eating Omega 3–rich seafood at least twice a week also confers double benefits, protecting the heart and, some preliminary studies have found, helping lift depression.
* Engage. A good support system and social life help buffer you from the physiological effects of negative emotions.
* Laugh. Rx: funny movies? Yes! Laughing regularly is associated with the healthier function of blood vessels.
However,doctors don’t understand all the links between depression and heart disease, and patients usually have more than one risk factor. But one thing is clear: If you’re depressed and you have heart disease, you have to treat both conditions to recover.
A most interesting article. Last year, after years of avoiding doctors. I experienced a strange sensation which made me consult a wonderful lady doctor. It was assumed that I had suffered a TIA, although my carotid doppler showed normal blood flow and a small quantity of stable plaque. As anxiety has always been a problem with me, I was placed on anti- anxiety meds ( never prescribed previously) and anti hypertensive meds. My weight is normal to low, I have quit smoking and my diet has always been pretty good, I walk for 30mins every day, and ensure evrything I eat is low fat ( almost vegitarian as I do not particularly like red meat). After my initial consultation my tests showed normal thyroid, liver and kidney function and no diabetes, but my cholesterol was borderline. Knowing this,I further reduced my fat cosumption. However, I was horrified to find when my doctor ordered a further test, six month later that both my bad and good cholesterol had risen dramatically and I have now been prescribed statins. How can this be for someone who does not belong to the high risk groups, who has never eaten a McDonalds or KFC in her life ? I read somewhere that certain BP reducing drugs can cause the problem – is this so?