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Depression Linked to Heart Disease in Older People

Wed, 10/11/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
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Older people who suffer from depression are more likely to develop heart disease, according to recent research reported in the October 10 issue of Circulation Journal. Dr. Curt D. Furberg from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and colleagues collected data on nearly 6,000 patients aged 65 years or older, including about 4,500 patients who had no cardiovascular disease at the start of the study, and found that people with the highest levels of depression had a 40% higher risk of coronary heart disease, and 60% higher risk of death than those who had the lowest depression scores. Every 5-unit increase in the average depression score was associated with a 15% increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and a 16% increase in death, after adjustment for other risk factors.

Depressive symptoms, like feelings of fear or loneliness, irritability, lack of concentration, and sleeplessness, occur in 19-30% of people age 65 years or older (about 5 million Americans), but only 1% of those affected receive treatment. Those with higher scores reported that they felt 'down,' didn't sleep well, were unhappy or had little hope about the future," notes Furberg. The researchers found that women reported more depressive symptoms than men. Married participants or those who lived with others had lower depression scores. Smokers and those who had problems performing daily activities due to physical impairment had higher scores. Participants who were inactive and overweight also had higher scores.

Furberg suggests several explanations for why depression might predispose some individuals to increased heart risk:

* Depression is associated with poor physical activity, less exercise, more smoking and an increase in other behaviors that increase heart disease risk.
* A depressed state increases mental stress, which may increase plaque formation and vessel blockages.
* Depression is thought to increase production of free radicals and fatty acids, which can damage the lining of blood vessels placing the person at higher risk for sudden death.

Because the study excluded people with prior heart attack or cardiovascular disease and those who were in a medical or retirement facility, Furberg says it is unlikely that the depressive symptoms occurred as a result of disease. It remains to be seen whether treating depression in the elderly will reduce the rate of heart disease and death. Two clinical studies involving the treatment of depression in elderly Americans are being undertaken.

Older people who suffer from depression are more likely to develop heart disease, according to recent research reported in the October 10 issue of Circulation Journal. Dr. Curt D. Furberg from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and colleagues collected data on nearly 6,000 patients aged 65 years or older, including about 4,500 patients who had no cardiovascular disease at the start of the study, and found that people with the highest levels of depression had a 40% higher risk of coronary heart disease, and 60% higher risk of death than those who had the lowest depression scores. Every 5-unit increase in the average depression score was associated with a 15% increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and a 16% increase in death, after adjustment for other risk factors.

Depressive symptoms, like feelings of fear or loneliness, irritability, lack of concentration, and sleeplessness, occur in 19-30% of people age 65 years or older (about 5 million Americans), but only 1% of those affected receive treatment. Those with higher scores reported that they felt 'down,' didn't sleep well, were unhappy or had little hope about the future," notes Furberg. The researchers found that women reported more depressive symptoms than men. Married participants or those who lived with others had lower depression scores. Smokers and those who had problems performing daily activities due to physical impairment had higher scores. Participants who were inactive and overweight also had higher scores.

Furberg suggests several explanations for why depression might predispose some individuals to increased heart risk:

* Depression is associated with poor physical activity, less exercise, more smoking and an increase in other behaviors that increase heart disease risk.
* A depressed state increases mental stress, which may increase plaque formation and vessel blockages.
* Depression is thought to increase production of free radicals and fatty acids, which can damage the lining of blood vessels placing the person at higher risk for sudden death.

Because the study excluded people with prior heart attack or cardiovascular disease and those who were in a medical or retirement facility, Furberg says it is unlikely that the depressive symptoms occurred as a result of disease. It remains to be seen whether treating depression in the elderly will reduce the rate of heart disease and death. Two clinical studies involving the treatment of depression in elderly Americans are being undertaken.