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Depression and cardiovascular disease: just an urban legend?

Randy A Sansone1, Lori A Sansone

  • 1Dr. R. Sansone is a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and Director of Psychiatry Education at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio.

Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township))
|September 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Clinicians speculate about links between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent literature review suggests data support these connections, with preliminary evidence of antidepressant benefits for comorbid depression and CVD.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry and Primary Care
  • Mind-Body Interface
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Clinical speculation exists regarding the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Further questions arise concerning the impact of comorbid depression on adverse CVD outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent literature on the association between depression and CVD.
  • To examine the effects of comorbid depression on CVD outcomes.
  • To assess the preliminary evidence for antidepressant treatment in patients with comorbid depression and CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies.
  • Analysis of data supporting the link between depression and CVD development.
  • Evaluation of studies on comorbid depression and CVD outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Data support a relationship between depression and the development of cardiovascular disease.
  • Evidence suggests comorbid depression is linked to adverse CVD outcomes.
  • Preliminary studies indicate modest benefits of antidepressant treatment for individuals with comorbid depression and CVD.

Conclusions:

  • The association between depression and cardiovascular disease is supported by current data.
  • Antidepressant treatment may offer modest benefits for patients with comorbid depression and CVD.
  • Further research is warranted to explore this mind-body connection.

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