- The researchers say cardiovascular health may have an impact on an older person’s risk of depression.
- They note that the two conditions have similar risk factors, such as oxidative stress and inflammation.
- They say that a healthy diet and regular exercise can help improve both heart health and mental health.
a new study reports that cardiovascular risk factors are associated with an increased risk of depression in older adults.
Although depression has previously been shown to be a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, studies examining the potential impact of cardiovascular health on the development of depression are scarce.
The two conditions are thought to have similar risk factors, such as inflammation and oxidative stress.
In his studio, Sandra Martin PelaezPh.D., a biologist at the University of Granada, Spain, and her team used data from an ongoing six-year multicenter randomized trial in Spain that looked at the effect of a Mediterranean diet in overweight or obese men ages 55 to 75 and women 60 to 75 years old.
The researchers focused on 6,545 people without cardiovascular or endocrine disease at the start of the study, but who could still be divided into risk groups. The participants’ mental health status was assessed using a questionnaire, and they were then followed up for two years.
After two years of subjects following a Mediterranean diet, the participants on average decreased their depressive state score. The largest decreases were seen in medium- and high-risk participants with high baseline cholesterol levels.
The study authors concluded that high cardiovascular risk is associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women, and that factors such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet deserve further investigation.
“What was particularly revealing about the study was that those at higher cardiovascular risk who followed the Mediterranean diet experienced greater reductions in their depressive symptoms.” Dr Rigved Tadwalkara cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, told Healthline. “While we know that a healthy diet is effective in improving emotional health, this study helps quantify how much.”
“The physical connection between cardiovascular disease and depression probably has to do with oxidative stress, the inflammatory load, and the disruption of bodily processes,” added Tadwalkar. “These changes in homeostasis are seen in cardiovascular disease, which can then affect other organs and systems, including the brain and its pathways.”
“This study also shows us a great example of how the adage ‘food is medicine’ rings true,” said Tadwalkar. “A rigorous study has shown that the Mediterranean diet can decrease inflammatory load, body mass index, bad cholesterol levels, along with a variety of other metabolic parameters. The resulting impact on the body is positive, both in physical and psychological health.”
Sydney B. MillerPh.D., a Canadian psychologist, told Healthline that the study shows the effect that depression and a poor diet can have on each other.
He noted that the relationship may be “modifiable.”
“One explanation for this relationship may be that plasma cholesterol levels taken from a sample in bold may reflect cholesterol concentrations in the brain, and that may affect central nervous system function, including depression,” Miller said.
“This study suggests that if you have the cardiovascular risk factor of high cholesterol, that increases your risk of depression,” he said. “We already know that depression increases the risk of heart disease, so what we have here is what’s called a two-way relationship. It seems that one helps to cause the other.”
“A note of caution, however, is that while other studies have found high cholesterol to cause depression, other studies have reported low cholesterol to cause depression, and still other studies have found no relationship between the two,” Miller said. “So while this study is exciting, it would be nice to see the results replicated in future studies.”
Dr Kush Agrawala cardiologist at Honor Health Hospitals in Scottsdale, Arizona, told Healthline that stress and depression not only promote inflammation, but also lead to poor lifestyle choices, making the physical situation even worse.
“Depression is also thought to lead to non-adherence to medical regimens and self-care lifestyles, resulting in less time spent exercising, poorer quality and quantity of sleep, less restriction of excess calories and food and diet. unhealthy, and less adherence to prescriptions. medications for chronic diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes,” Agrawal explained.
“Psychological stress, whether work/financial or home-related, also appears to be an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction or new-onset heart attacks,” he added.
Dr. Leela R. Magavi, a psychiatrist and regional medical director for Mindpath Health, told Healthline that there are numerous ways to combat stress that can affect the cardiovascular systems.
“Creating lists and reiterating things that are in our control could alleviate anxiety,” Magavi said. “Taking breaks from reading about COVID-19 or watching the news and instead spending time exercising and practicing mindfulness techniques could help people decrease ruminative thinking.”
Magavi recommended meditation or seeing a therapist, as well as simple home remedies.
“Talk with family or journal about fears could help people process their emotions and start the healing process,” he said. “Reaching out to a friend, colleague, neighbor, primary care physician, therapist or psychiatrist could help start the healing process and save invaluable lives.”
