It’s been a while since researchers discovered that depression is a key predictor of heart disease—even of not surviving a heart attack. More and more, though, studies are revealing that depression can be a precursor to coronary heart disease (CHD)—especially for women. We know this, because researchers at Columbia University reported this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that depression may actually lead to heart disease, as well as increase the odds of a heart attack in women with existing CHD.
Underlying causes
The most recent study to link depression and heart disease is based on the Nurses’ Health Study, which tracked 63,000 women between 1992-2004. Though none had signs of heart disease at the start of the study, about 8% were diagnosed with serious depression. And it was these women who were more than twice as likely to die suddenly from a heart attack.
A growing body of investigative work is exposing the underlying causes of the depression-heart disease link: Some point to poor adherence to medical regimens (such as for diabetics who are noncompliant with home glucose monitoring), alterations in hormone levels, and increased risk for arrhythmias, while others suggest that obesity, tobacco use, and physical inactivity play key roles.
Lifestyle lessons
While causes may vary, the most proactive step you can take both to defeat depression and to halt heart disease, is to make the lifestyle changes your emotions and heart need to be balanced and healthy. This means: eating optimally, de-stressing, exercising regularly, and integrating social support into your life. In the next post, I’ll tell you more about how foods you choose can combat depression, while future posts will give you the lifestyle insights you need to take charge of this emerging risk factor for heart disease.
Deborah Kesten, MPH, is an international lifestyle and health researcher and Certified Wellness and Cardiac Coach. She also is the award-winning author of The Enlightened Diet, Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, and The Healing Secrets of Food. Call her at 415.810.7874 or visit her at www.Enlightened-Diet.com to take her FREE What’s Your Eating Style? Quiz, and to learn more about her Whole Person Nutrition Program for wellness, weight loss, coaching, and books.
About deborah.kesten
Deborah Kesten, MPH and Certified Wellness Coach, is an international nutrition researcher and educator, with a specialty in preventing and reversing obesity and heart disease and related ailments. She was the nutritionist on Dr. Dean Ornish’s first clinical trial for reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes, and co-director on research about her Whole Person Nutrition Model and Program (www.Enlightened-Diet.com), the results of which were published in Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. With more than 200 published nutrition and health articles, she is also the award-winning author of Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul and The Healing Secrets of Food, a comprehensive, evidence-based nutrition program about the power of food to heal multi-dimensionally. Her most recent book, The Enlightened Diet, offers a practical guide to weight loss success through her comprehensive and research-based Whole Person Nutrition Program. Deborah’s accomplishments include contributing articles to scientific books and medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, and to magazines such as Yoga Journal and Spirituality and Health. She lives in Washington with her husband Larry Scherwitz, PhD.
Hi Deborah
Very interesting article. As an expert as you are, with all my respect, I would like to put you a question.I see that ,researchers and other and other researches on more different diseases, found that depression can lead a woman,-why not men as well?-to a heart problem .O.k these researches focus to some results,but I would really want to know If they ever have delved a little deeper to ask and research the CAUSE of the depression or any other ailment?
At the back of my mind there has always been the question WHAT has caused a specific disease and not the disease itself.( after some bitter personal experiences I have had) Because I strongly beilieve that if a doctor knows the cause then he could treat his patient more efficiently ,then the cure would be an easy case.
I think that it is the root , the main cause of the manifestation of the disease that should be in the concern of those who deal with health issues.Have you heard of the moto < First cure the Patient and then the disease?>
There are a lot of cases that despite the medical prescriptions ,despite the good nutrition and millions of different diets, the disease still exists.How do you explain this ? There must be something else out there !!! to look for?
Perhaps there is such an aproach in the medical literature , the research or application field which I am not aware of and I would be grateful if you recommended me an article or site relevant to my torturing question.
Best regards
Despina
Greetings, Despina:
My husband, behavioral scientist Larry Scherwitz, PhD, just wrote a short article that addresses your questions about the causes of depresses on another health-oriented Web site. Called "Depression Rx: Cultivate Emotional Well-Being, here's an excerpt from the article, as well as the link:
http://www.empowher.com/users/larry-scherwitz
Excerpt from "Depression Rx" by Larry Scherwitz, PhD:
There are many reasons a woman may become depressed. Causes range from a history of abuse and traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, and certain diseases or medicines, to substance abuse, hormonal changes, or a family history of depression. What is of special interest is, most often, depression is caused by a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. And this is good news, because it means that making changes in various aspects of your lifestyle
Greetings, Despina:
My husband, behavioral scientist Larry Scherwitz, PhD, just wrote a short article that addresses your questions about the causes of depresses on another health-oriented Web site. The article is entitled "Depression Rx: Cultivate Emotional Well-Being; here's an excerpt from the article, as well as the link:
http://www.empowher.com/users/larry-scherwitz
Excerpt from "Depression Rx" by Larry Scherwitz, PhD:
There are many reasons a woman may become depressed. Causes range from a history of abuse and traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, and certain diseases or medicines, to substance abuse, hormonal changes, or a family history of depression. What is of special interest is, most often, depression is caused by a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. And this is good news, because it means that making changes in various aspects of your lifestyle
Hi Deborah,
Thank you so much for responding ,Surely I will visit the site
Best wishes
Despina
You're asking important, thought-provoking questions, which I don't have time to address. However, new evidence-based insights into the underlying causes of depression and other ailments are surfacing in the new and emerging field of EPIGENETICS, i.e., the influence of environment (such as diet, smoking, depression and negative emotions, loneliness–social isolation, etc.) on health and well-being.
Hi Deborah,
I visited the website you recommended .I found it very interesting with interesting articles.I believe you are doing a serious work and hope to be of help to many depressed people ,as there are too many nowadays,indeed.
Thank you
Despina