Anti-Depressant Drugs May Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease risk

A new study found that when participants were treated with antidepressants had lower mortality rates, stroke and artery disease when compared to those who did not take any medication for depression.

They managed to conclude that patients who undergo anti-depressant treatment show lower risks and rate linking to death and several heart diseases as compared to those who prefer not to take the drugs.

"This study exhibits the significance of assessing patients for depression not just in terms of improving their mood, but plunging their risk for heart disease." lead author, Heidi May PhD, a public health researcher said.

In the investigation of rates of death, coronary artery disease and stroke versus levels of depression and its treatment demonstrated that patients with moderate to extreme depression who were taking antidepressants had a lower risk of the three events amid the study period. This was compared with patients with the same level of depression yet not taking antidepressants or statins.

"Antidepressants were not linked with a diminished cardiovascular risk in individuals with little or no depression, yet in moderately to severely depressed individuals, antidepressants were shown to considerably enhance cardiovascular results," Dr. May says.

Depression is most likely caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

"This study demonstrates the importance of evaluating patients for depression, not only in terms of improving their mood, but reducing their risk for heart disease," says lead author, Heidi May PhD, a public health scientist.

"Antidepressants were not associated with a reduced cardiovascular risk in people with little or no depression, but in moderately to severely depressed people, antidepressants were shown to significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes," Dr. May says.

"We thought we'd see an additive effect," Dr. May says. The researchers found, however, "that in the more depressed people, the antidepressant really was what made the biggest difference."