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Is Depression- Heart Disease Link Genetic? There is no doubt that depression is closely linked to heart disease, as supported by many evidence found in the past. Depression not only can increase the risk of heart attack or blood clots for patients with heart disease, but also raise the likelihood of heart attack and coronary artery disease for healthy people without any heart disease. Studies have also shown that up to 15 percent of patients with cardiovascular disease and up to 20 percent of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery might experience major depression. In recent studies, scientists have found that some genes that raise the risk of heart disease also might cause people more likely to be depressed. This has posed an interesting question: Is depression-heart disease link genetic? On March 4, 2009, researchers from Washington University and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis reported at the American Psychosomatic Society meeting in Chicago that depression almost doubles the risk of developing heart disease over a period of 12 years.
The long-term study on twins followed more than 1,200 middle-aged men from their early 40s to their mid-50s. None of the participants had heart disease at the start of the study. Twins were chosen for the study because twins offer a unique way to examine how gene affects health. Identical twins share 100 percent of their genes while fraternal twins have 50 percent of genes in common. Both kinds of twins were included in the study. Results from the study showed that heart disease developed only in twins who have high genetic risk and who actually develop clinical depression. For twins with high genetic risk common to depression and heart disease, but who never develop depression itself, there was no increased risk for heart disease. The findings strongly suggested that depression itself independently contributes to risk for heart disease, after adjustment for key factors like high blood pressure that lead to heart disease. Nevertheless, the researchers pointed out that they were not sure if they would get the same effects in women as the study only analyzed data on men. There is no evidence supporting the fact that treating depression would make adults less likely to have heart attack. However, the researchers insisted that more vigorous medical monitoring of heart patients with depression is still justified, especially when so much research has confirmed the link between depression and heart disease. Researchers also quoted a separate study in which heart patients with depression were identified by a brief mental health screening and found to be less likely to take medication. This kind of patients clearly requires check up more often. If not treated appropriately, depression could become worse. In fact, when one finds it difficult to maintain relationship or performance at home or at work, he or she should seek help from the healthcare provider or family doctor immediately. Depression can be treated by antidepressants, psychotherapy or a combination of both, depending on the seriousness of the disorder. There are several newer and safer antidepressant medications available that have safely been used for patients with heart disease. Psychotherapy in the form of supportive counseling or talk therapy can raise one’s social support and help develop more positive thinking patterns. In the meantime, patients can also manage depression by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise; proper sleep; a well-balanced diet; relaxation and stress management techniques.
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