How Depression Can Harm Your Heart
Depression has long been known to increase risk factors for many diseases. It tends to weaken the immune system and thus allows for the invasion of some illnesses. Recent studies have shown that there is a connection between depression and heart disease.
Stress, anxiety and depression can have an ill effect on the body and specifically the heart. Patients who reported symptoms of depression had much worse blood vessel function that those who did not have depression. This explains why depression is a known risk factor for bad outcomes in people with heart disease.
While much more research is needed, these preliminary findings seem to show that there is indeed an increased physical link between depression and heart problems including cardiac arrest and even death. Patients who took anti-depressants, however, did not suffer from the same diagnosis. This may show that once the symptoms of depression are gone the heart is no longer at an increased risk.
Depression like worry and stress takes its toll on the body. The body produces additional hormones to deal with the pressures. In effect, the body is always in a state of ready, making it less effective at dealing with other invasions. Increased heart rate and high blood pressure can cause the heart to work harder than it should most of the time. The internal structures can weaken from this constant overuse.
The best way to deal with the added stress on the heart is by taking away the cause. Removing stress and depression symptoms will put the body back on track and avoid the increased risks. If you are depressed you should seek medical attention.
The best course of treatment for depression is often several pronged. It includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes to be effective. Healthy living should include a good diet and exercise plan that involves daily activity. Sometimes mild depression can be treated without medication when lifestyle changes are followed. Medications that are commonly used to help treat depression are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include the common prescription medications Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac and Celexa.
If you suffer from depression you should talk to your doctor about the link between depression and heart disease. You should be tested for possible heart disorders such as high blood pressure, blood vessel function and heart function. These tests can help provide a clear picture of the best method of treatment. Other factors that influence your heart health include heredity, weight, smoking and other risk factors.
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I have suffered with depression since i was 16,as a result of my symptoms not being noticed until i turned 24,i now have become a manic depressive,which is slowly ruining my life. Each manic episode seems to be making me a more aggressive and nasty person.I do not like me either,which i must learn to do as its all part of the healing process. I think (IN FACT I NO)when i was 7yrs old i was sexually abused by a man who lived on our square where we lived. I wanted to get hypnotised to find out for sure,but they have always said that it would not be a good idea. I think that its the answer to my problem!!!!