Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The American Heart Association science advisory on depression and coronary heart disease: an exploration of the issues raised.

Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine·2010
Same author

Depression severity and effect of antidepressant medications.

JAMA·2010
Same author

Psychiatric characteristics associated with long-term mortality among 361 patients having an acute coronary syndrome and major depression: seven-year follow-up of SADHART participants.

Archives of general psychiatry·2009
Same author

Smokers' response to combination bupropion, nicotine patch, and counseling treatment by race/ethnicity.

Ethnicity & disease·2008
Same author

Heart rate variability in acute coronary syndrome patients with major depression: influence of sertraline and mood improvement.

Archives of general psychiatry·2007
Same author

Where there is depression, there is inflammation... sometimes!

Biological psychiatry·2007

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Depression and cardiovascular comorbidity.

Alexander H Glassman1

  • 1Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. ahg1@columbia.edu

Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience
|May 18, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Depression is linked to increased cardiovascular disease and death risk. While treatments like serotonin reuptake inhibitors show promise, the exact mechanisms connecting depression and heart disease remain unclear.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • A long-suspected link between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now supported by scientific evidence.
  • Epidemiological studies since the 1990s show depressed individuals face higher risks of CVD and cardiac death.
  • Depression following a heart attack also increases mortality risk, indicating it worsens existing cardiovascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the scientific evidence linking depression and cardiovascular disease.
  • To identify key unanswered questions regarding this association, including treatment efficacy and underlying mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of community-based epidemiological studies.
  • Analysis of research on depression's impact on post-heart attack outcomes.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

  • Examination of evidence on biological mechanisms linking depression and CVD.

    • Main Results:

    • Consistent evidence demonstrates that depression elevates the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and experiencing cardiac death.
    • Preliminary data suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors may help mitigate these risks.
    • Strong associations are observed with platelet activation, autonomic dysfunction, and inflammatory markers, though causal pathways are not fully elucidated.

    Conclusions:

    • Depression is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality.
    • Further research is needed to confirm if treating depression reduces cardiovascular risk and to clarify the biological mechanisms involved.