A new study by researchers at the University of Queensland has uncovered a significant link between a high genetic risk of depression and an increased risk of heart disease in women.
The study, published in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, highlights how genetic factors associated with depression could predispose women to cardiovascular disease, even if they have never been diagnosed with depression or taken psychiatric medications.
Analyzing genetic and health data from over 300,000 individuals, researchers Dr. Sonia Shah and Dr. Clara Jiang discovered that women with a high genetic risk for depression also faced a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.
Interestingly, this link was not observed in men, despite men having higher overall rates of heart disease.
“Our study found that the genetic risk of depression in women was linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, even for those without a depression diagnosis,” said Dr. Shah.
“This connection couldn’t be explained by traditional risk factors like body mass index, smoking, high blood pressure, or cholesterol levels.”
This difference between men and women underscores the need for gender-specific research into cardiovascular health. Historically, women have been underrepresented in heart disease studies and clinical trials, leading to gaps in understanding and treatment.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women globally, yet our knowledge is biased toward men,” said Dr. Jiang. “This has resulted in women being under-diagnosed and under-treated for cardiovascular conditions.”
One notable finding from the study was that the heightened risk of coronary artery disease—a condition in which blood vessels narrow due to plaque buildup—was present in women regardless of their menopausal status.
While heart disease risk typically rises after menopause, this study showed that women with a genetic predisposition to depression should be monitored for heart disease at any stage of life.
“Frequent heart health checks are particularly important for women with a history of depression,” Dr. Shah emphasized.
To conduct the study, researchers developed genetic predictors of psychiatric disorders using data from large-scale studies, including the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, genetic health company 23andMe, and the UK Biobank.
These resources provided detailed genetic, lifestyle, and health information from hundreds of thousands of participants, enabling a comprehensive analysis.
The findings shed light on the complex interplay between mental health and physical health, especially for women. They also emphasize the importance of early detection and prevention.
Regular heart health screenings and an awareness of the genetic risks associated with depression could lead to better outcomes for women at risk of both conditions.
As heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide, this research calls for a shift in how cardiovascular health is studied and addressed.
By focusing on the unique risks faced by women, healthcare providers can take proactive steps to improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
The research findings can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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