Learn about the potential link between depression and heart disease risk at Health Chakra. Dive into insights
Can Depression Increase your risk for heart disease
Heart Health and Depression: The Inter-Relation
It's simple to grab for your go-to comfort food or skip a workout when you're feeling bad. Even when you're not feeling well, it's still crucial to consider your heart health.
People are less likely to make good lifestyle decisions when they are stressed, anxious, or depressed because they may feel overwhelmed. They might smoke more, engage in less physical activity, consume alcohol or get influenced by negative actions more.
Trauma, sadness, anxiety, and stress can produce changes that can have an impact on your health, and not just because you could adopt unhealthy habits. According to research, physical physiology is impacted by mental wellness.
Too little or too much sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and non-compliance with medication instructions are a few such examples. These unhealthy habits can eventually raise your risk of developing heart disease.
Depression impacts the heart health and vice versa
It's not unusual to experience sadness following a heart attack, heart surgery, or a diagnosis of a heart problem such as coronary artery disease (the development of plaque in the heart's main arteries).
According to doctors, having a cardiac issue may result in additional doctor visits, lifestyle modifications, medicines to control the ailment, and greater stress from having to get used to a new way of life. As a result of this, some people may have depression symptoms.
A hereditary and environmental disease
A person may become depressed for a variety of reasons. In actuality, a confluence of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological variables contributes to depression. These elements might help to explain why younger women with heart disease and depression may fare worse than younger males.
In many homes, women hold a significant position. As a result, individuals could experience more common pressures, find it difficult to combine work and family responsibilities and become more vulnerable to inflammatory disorders. Additionally, according to recent medical studies, women may experience different physiological reactions to stress and sadness than men.
The good news is that it is possible to overcome depression and live with it. This can help you maintain better overall health and lower your risk of developing heart disease over time.
Your risk of cardiovascular disease is increased by depression
Depression is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, not just because of its psychological impact but also from a physiological aspect.
According to the American Heart Association, a condition called atherosclerosis frequently causes heart disease, a type of cardiovascular illness. According to research, cardiovascular illness linked to atherosclerosis is more common among depressed individuals. According to a sizable study that was published in June 2019 in BMJ Open, persons between the ages of 40 and 80 who are depressed have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease linked to atherosclerosis.
Blood vessels known as arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body, are impacted by atherosclerosis. Your arteries gradually become stiffer over time as you become older, and plaque builds up on the artery walls. In mild forms of atherosclerosis, many people don't exhibit symptoms.
However, in some circumstances, arterial stiffness and plaque accumulation make it too difficult for blood to flow smoothly through your arteries. This could make you more likely to have a possibly fatal heart attack or stroke.
The following lifestyle modifications can aid in the management of both heart disease and depression:
Consume healthful foods: A balanced diet will boost your mood, heart health, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Engage in regular exercise: Exercise is a fantastic form of treatment for those suffering from depression and also helps to enhance heart health.
Reduce your alcohol intake: Alcohol depresses your brain's production of serotonin, which controls your mood. Therefore, drinking a lot of alcohol may make your depression worse. High blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart attack or stroke, is also increased by alcohol.
Give up smoking: Smoking is a common coping mechanism for depressed people. The number one preventable risk factor for heart disease is smoking. In other words, giving up the habit can reduce your risk of acquiring heart disease. Consult your doctor about other beneficial relaxing methods.
How to Guard Your Mind and Heart
It's crucial to seek depression treatment if you want to keep your heart healthy (especially if you already have heart problems). Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, and occasionally medication is used as part of the standard treatment for depression.
A mental health specialist who works with persons with chronic illnesses may be of assistance to people with chronic heart problems. Your cardiologist might be able to point you in the direction of a therapist who is knowledgeable about heart issues. Additionally, if you recently underwent heart surgery or had a heart attack, you might profit from a cardiac rehabilitation program, which is frequently paid for by health insurance.
After a heart attack, depression is simple to develop. However, even if you've never experienced heart issues, your sadness may be increasing your chance of developing heart disease. Taking care of oneself can help prevent heart disease and sadness.