Getting to the Heart of Depression

Depression may break your heart. Some new studies suggest that if you’re depressed, you have a higher chance of developing heart disease. Plus, the more severe the depression, the more likely you are to die of a sudden heart attack.

One such study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that depressed people ages 25 to 39 were three times more likely to develop heart disease within a 14-year period than nondepressed individuals.

Even those who lack heart disease risk factors, including obesity or high cholesterol, face a higher risk for sudden cardiac death if they’re depressed. This finding comes from another new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

People who already have heart disease also are more likely to suffer from depression. They’re also twice as likely to die after a heart attack as heart patients who aren’t depressed.

These findings point to the importance of recognizing and treating depression. Women are more likely to be depressed than men. They’re also more apt to suffer from the negative effects of depression on their hearts. Here are some warning signs of depression:

• Persistent sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness
• Hopelessness or pessimism
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Sleep problems, such as difficulty getting to sleep, oversleeping, or waking too early
• Appetite and/or weight changes
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Restlessness or irritability
• Aches and pains that don’t respond to medical treatment

Talk with your doctor if you think you might have depression. Most people with depression get better with treatment.