{"id":28834,"date":"2025-09-23T18:41:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T22:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valuecare.webcoreweb.com\/?p=28834"},"modified":"2025-09-23T18:41:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T22:41:10","slug":"study-depression-increases-risk-of-heart-disease-in-young-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valuecare.webcoreweb.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/23\/study-depression-increases-risk-of-heart-disease-in-young-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Study: Depression Increases Risk of Heart Disease in Young People"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/span>The detrimental effects of depression on heart health in young people may be stronger than previously thought.<\/p>\n

Depression or a history of attempted suicide in\u00a0individuals under 40, especially in women,<\/strong>\u00a0significantly increases the risk for dying from heart disease, according to the results of a nationwide study. The results of this study have been published in the\u00a0Archives of General Psychiatry\u00a0<\/em>November 2011 issue .<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first study looking at depression as a risk factor for heart disease specifically in young people,\u201d said senior author Viola Vaccarino, MD, PhD, chair of epidemiology at Emory\u2019s Rollins School of Public Health. \u201cWe\u2019re finding that depression is a remarkable risk factor for\u00a0heart disease<\/a>\u00a0in young people. Among women, depression appears to be more important than traditional risk factors such as smoking,\u00a0hypertension<\/a>,\u00a0obesity<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0diabetes<\/a>\u00a0which are not common in young women.\u201d<\/p>\n

The researchers analyzed data from 7,641 people\u00a0between the ages of 17 and 39<\/strong>\u00a0who participated in the NHANES-III (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-III), a nationwide survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics between 1988 and 1994. Deaths were tracked through 2006.<\/p>\n

What the Study Found<\/h2>\n

The study found that\u00a0women with a history of depression or attempted suicide had triple the risk<\/strong>\u00a0of dying from\u00a0cardiovascular disease<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a014 times higher risk of dying from a heart attack<\/strong>. The corresponding figures for men were 2.4 times higher risk for\u00a0heart disease<\/a>\u00a0and 3 to 5\u00a0 times higher risk for heart attack.<\/p>\n

Much of the previous research into the relationship between depression and heart disease included older individuals, who typically have a larger number of heart disease risk factors as well as associated diseases which may confound the results.<\/p>\n

This is the first study to examine the dual factors of depression along with a history of suicide attempts as a marker for future mortality from heart disease. Additionally, unlike most prior studies of depression and heart disease, major depression was examined, which was assessed with a clinical interview based on accepted diagnostic criteria, instead of using questionnaire scores for depression symptoms. The authors suggest that clinical diagnosis may be \u201ca more robust risk indicator.\u201d<\/p>\n

The use of antidepressant medication wasn\u2019t included as a risk factor due to the fact that less than six percent of individuals with depression or a history of attempted suicide reported their use, and no cardiovascular-related deaths occurred in that subgroup.<\/p>\n

The research team also considered the possibility that\u00a0depressed<\/a>\u00a0individual may have a greater number of lifestyle-related risk factors such as smoking and poor diet. However, they discovered a\u00a0significant link to heart disease risk coming from depression and suicide attempts<\/strong>, even after statistical corrections for unhealthy lifestyle and\u00a0 behaviors.<\/p>\n

\u201cDirect physiological effects of\u00a0depression<\/a>\u00a0may play a greater role than lifestyle factors in this young population,\u201d the authors reported.<\/p>\n

It is thought by the researchers that depression may elevate the risk of heart disease through physiological mechanisms, such as decreased heart rate variability, higher levels of cortisol (a\u00a0stress<\/a>-related hormone) and\u00a0inflammation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a group that normally should be low risk,\u201d Vaccarino says. \u201cStudying these individuals more intensively could be important for understanding how depression affects the heart.\u201d The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.<\/p>\n

Recognizing Depression<\/h2>\n

In light of this new research, it becomes even more imperative to recognize and treat depression our our children and young adults. If you or a loved one are suffering from depression, please make an appointment and see your primary care physician or a qualified\u00a0mental health<\/a>\u00a0professional. Treating\u00a0depression<\/a>\u00a0early could literally mean the difference between life and death \u2013 now and in the future.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Depression<\/strong><\/p>\n

Depression is characterized by the loss of interest or pleasure in most previously enjoyed activities, as well as a\u00a0depressed<\/a>\u00a0or sad mood felt most of the day, nearly everyday. It can be felt as hopelessness, feeling empty, or tearful. Perspective is also often altered, and the person suffering from depression may view life differently, and seem isolated from the rest of the world \u2013 unable to make a connection. Along with this,\u00a0signs of depression<\/strong>\u00a0usually include some of the following:<\/p>\n