Study Finds That Depression Raises Risk of Heart Failure

A recent study done at the Intermountain Medical Center in Utah has found that depression elevates the risk of heart failure regardless of what antidepressants are taken. This is the first time a study has been done to highlight this risk. Prior studies done on this topic show that depression is three time more likely after a heart attack and depressed patients are at a higher risk of a second heart attack. Heart disease occurs in 550,000 people each year with costs totaling $35 billion annually. The study followed 14,000 people with previous heart conditions. Among the 1,377 people who became depressed the rate of heart failure was much higher than those who were not. The rate was 3.6% among those who were not depressed compared to 16.4% who were. Many of the patients took antidepressants but this showed no signs of lowering the risk. One of the researchers, Heidi May said, "This finding may indicate that antidepressants may not be able to alter the physical or behavioral risks associated with depression and heart failure, despite a potential improvement in depressive symptoms." Studies show that these depressed patients become apathetic about their heart problems and don't take precautionary action such as medicine intake and exercise as the non-depressed patients did. Another factor could be that depression alters the physical condition of the body.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE53C5NL20090413

Lance Wyatt 501