Depression was associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular and coronary death during a 6.6-year follow-up, both in persons with and without baseline cardiovascular diseases.
Observational (n=8,000)
Does depression increase the risk of cardiovascular and coronary death?
Depression is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular and coronary death over a 6.6-year follow-up, regardless of baseline CVD status.
We first review the associations between depression and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Then we examine them in the nationally representative Mini-Finland Health Survey, which covers 8,000 persons. Chronic somatic diseases and mental disorders were diagnosed using standardized methods. Cross-sectionally, CVDs and neurotic depression were associated both before and after adjustment for covariates. The strongest associations were observed in the case of severe CVDs. During a 6.6 year follow-up, the risk of CVD death and coronary death was elevated in depressed persons both with and without CVDs at entry. Much of the cross-sectional association is probably due to depression caused by CVDs. The outcome of CVD may be poorer in depressed persons. The hypothesis that depression is a cause of CVDs requires further study.
Aromaa et al. (1994) conducted an observational in Depression and cardiovascular diseases (n=8,000). Depression vs. No depression was evaluated on CVD death and coronary death. Depression was associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular and coronary death during a 6.6-year follow-up, both in persons with and without baseline cardiovascular diseases.