Scientists from the University of Granada found heart risk factors are linked to an increased risk of depression in older adults.
The research is published in PLOS ONE and was conducted by Sandra Martín-Peláez et al.
Cardiovascular disease and depression are thought to be closely related due to similar risk factors, including inflammation and oxidative stress.
Although it has been shown that depression could be a risk factor for developing heart disease, studies analyzing the potential impact of heart health on developing depression are few.
In the study, the researchers used data from 6,545 individuals.
A cardiovascular risk score was calculated for each person, dividing participants into low (LR), medium (MR), or high/very high (HR) cardiovascular risk groups.
Depressive status was gauged using a questionnaire at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up.
The team found women in the high heart risk group showed higher risks of depressive status than low-risk women.
In addition, among all participants with baseline total cholesterol below 160 mg/mL, medium-risk and high-risk individuals showed higher odds of depression than lower-risk people.
On the contrary, among participants with total cholesterol of 280 mg/mL or higher, medium-risk and high-risk people had a lower risk of depression than low-risk people.
After two years, during which time all people were instructed to follow a Mediterranean Diet participants, on average, decreased their depressive status score, with the greatest decreases seen for medium-risk and high-risk participants with high cholesterol.
The researchers conclude that high and very high heart risks are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women.
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If you care about depression, please read studies about nutrient that may help fight depression , and newer drugs for depression may increase death risk.
For more information about heart disease, please see recent studies about how to keep a healthy heart during COVID-19, and results showing that common kidney problems linked to high heart failure risk.
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