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Depression is a serious mental illness that can be debilitating. But early depression treatment prevents heart problems.
- Though depression is a condition in the brain, it can affect many parts of the body. New research shows that treating depression early may even prevent heart problems.
- Jesse C. Stewart, Ph.D. from the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, led this recent study. It is the first to link early depression treatment to cardiovascular benefits.
- “Previous studies we and others have conducted indicate that depression is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. But past depression treatment studies involving cardiac patients have not shown the anticipated cardiovascular benefits. So we asked ourselves, what if we treated depression before the onset of cardiovascular disease? Could that cut the risk of heart attack and stroke? Our results suggest that the answer is yes,” stated Dr. Stewart.
- The research team observed 235 older patients who were diagnosed with depression. These patients were randomly assigned to a standard care treatment or a collaborative treatment involving psychotherapy and antidepressants.
- The results showed that patients who didn’t have pre-existing heart disease and received collaborative treatment had a 48% lower risk of heart attack and stroke than those who received standard care.
- The 67 patients who did have cardiovascular disease did not have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. This suggests that early depression treatment must be administered before the onset of cardiovascular disease in order to receive the heart health benefits.
- The study was called, “Effect of Collaborative Care for Depression on Risk of Cardiovascular Events: Data From the IMPACT Randomized Controlled Trial,” and appeared in Psychosomatic Medicine.
- “Lifestyle changes — such as stopping smoking — and blood pressure and cholesterol medications are important approaches to decreasing risk of heart attacks and strokes. Our findings, if confirmed in a larger clinical trial, could provide an important new approach — depression treatment — to preventing cardiovascular events,” said Dr. Stewart.
- The research team is seeking the money to conduct a larger scale study on the effects of early depression treatment for heart health.
- “In the near future, depression treatment may play an important role in reducing disability and death due to cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Stewart.
- Sugary drinks can increase depression risk.
- For a mood-lifting drink.
- Note: The content on our website is for educational purposes only. Please consult your health practitioner or a qualified expert.
- REFERENCES:
- 1. Stewart, Jesse C., PhD. “Effect of Collaborative Care for Depression on Risk of Cardiovascular Events: Data From the IMPACT Randomized Controlled Trial.” Psychosomatic Medicine. Psychosomatic Medicine, 23 Dec. 2013. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.
- 2. “Effect of Collaborative Care for Depression on Risk of Cardiovascular Events: Data From the IMPACT Randomized Controlled Trial.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.
- 3. “Earlier Depression Treatment Prevents Heart Attacks, Strokes, Study Shows.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.
