Older women suffering from depression may have greater risk of stroke
By Catherine Walker
Depressed women may be at a higher risk for a stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) according to a new research report.
A history of depression is associated with a 29% increased risk of stroke even after considering other stroke risk factors the researchers found.
Their findings are reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Another finding from this research is that women who use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) class of anti-depressant medication. This class includes Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa. Women taking this group of medications are 39% increased risk of stroke.
‘I don’t think the medications themselves are the primary cause of the risk. This study does not suggest that people should stop their medications to reduce the risk of stroke’ said Kathryn Rexrode, M.D., the study’s senior author.
80,574 women were followed by researchers. These women were aged 54 to 79 years old and in the Nurses’ Health Study from 2000-06 without a prior history of stroke. They were assessed for depressive symptoms on many occasions with a Mental Health Index. Depression was defined as currently reporting or having a history of depression.
22% of the women were depressed at the beginning of the study researchers discovered. 1,033 stroke cases were documented over the next six years. Key differences were portrayed by a comparison of women with depression to those without a history of depression.
Overall, depressed women were slightly younger, were more likely to be single, more likely to be smokers, had a higher body mass index and were less physically active. They were also found to have more coexisting conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Rexrode said ‘Depression can prevent individuals from controlling other medical problems such as diabetes and hypertension, from taking medications regularly or pursuing other healthy lifestyle measures such as exercise. All these factors could contribute to increased risk.’
‘Regardless of the mechanism, recognising that depressed individuals may be at a higher risk of stroke may help the physician focus on not only treating the depression, but treating stroke risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and elevated cholesterol as well as addressing lifestyle behaviours such as smoking and exercise.’ Rexrode added.
In layman’s terms it could be the smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight or the depressed that ups the risk factor. What do you think?
Source: American Heart Association.
