Exercise Can Prevent Heart Disease in People With Depression

People with mild or minimal depression can reduce their risk for heart disease with regular exercise, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

People with diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, and depression may heighten this risk. Depression is also associated with worsening outcomes in patients with other health conditions, researchers said.

According to the study, 20 percent of people hospitalized with a heart attack have symptoms of depression, while heart disease patients have a three-fold higher risk of developing depression compared with others.

Exercise can help

The study included 965 people who did not have heart disease, as well as no prior symptoms of an affective, psychotic or anxiety disorder. Using questionnaires to assess depression levels and exercise habits, the researchers found that early symptoms of heart disease - arterial stiffening and inflammation - were more present in people who were inactive.


The mood-boosting benefits of exercise can not only prevent cardiovascular decline, but also may alleviate depression symptoms.

"Our findings highlight the link between worsening depression and cardiovascular risk and support routinely assessing depression in patients to determine heart disease risk," said study author Arshed A. Quyyumi, M.D., co-director of the Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute in Atlanta. "This research also demonstrates the positive effects of exercise for all patients, including those with depressive symptoms."

Source: American College of Cardiology
Image courtesy of stockimages/FreeDigitalPhotos.net


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