A new study found treating depression could significantly reduce one's risk of heart disease.
The study was the first to look at the effects associated with taking antidepressants and cholesterol-lowering drugs simultaneously in patients with varying levels of depressive symptoms, the Intermountain Medical Center reported.
To make their findings, the researchers looked at the health records and rates of death, coronary artery disease and stroke of more than 26,000 patients. The patients completed a nine-question depression-screening questionnaire. This allowed them to identify 5,311 patients with moderate to severe depression and 21,517 patients who were not depressed or only suffered from mild depression.
The researchers found patients with moderate to severe depression who were being treated with antidepressants had a lower risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and stroke than patients who were not taking the medications. Taking statins by themselves or in combination with antidepressants was not associated with a significant reduction in risk among these patients. The researchers believe the reduction in risk associated with antidepressant drugs could have to do with behavioral changes.
"Antidepressants might have relevant physiological benefits, but I also think the behavioral changes that improve a person's mood can also improve cardiovascular health," said lead author Heidi May, PhD, MSPH, a cardiovascular epidemiologist at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute. "This study demonstrates the importance of evaluating patients for depression, not only in terms of improving their mood, but reducing their risk for heart disease."
Depression is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease; patients with depression have an estimated two- to four-times greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease than individuals who do not have depression. The researchers hope that future studies will provide insight into the links between depression, antidepressants and cardiovascular health.
The research was conducted by the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, which is the flagship facility for the Intermountain Healthcare system.
