Key result
Major depressive disorder increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease and mortality following myocardial infarction, independent of classical risk factors.
Why the study?
What are the biological mechanisms underlying the increased cardiac risk in patients with major depressive disorder?
What are the biological mechanisms underlying the increased cardiac risk in patients with major depressive disorder?
This review highlights the independent, severity-proportional risk of coronary heart disease and post-MI mortality associated with major depressive disorder, emphasizing potential biological mechanisms like sympathetic activation and endothelial dysfunction.
There is strong evidence that patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. This elevated risk is independent of classical risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and hypertension. The risk of coronary heart disease, put simply, is proportional to the severity of the depression. Also conclusively demonstrated is the adverse effect of depression in patients following myocardial infarction, which materially increases mortality. The mechanism of increased cardiac risk attributable to MDD is at present uncertain, but activation of the sympathetic nervous system, altered baroreflex sensitivity, and/or exaggerated platelet reactivity and endothelial dysfunction are likely to be of prime importance.
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Dawood et al. (2008) conducted a review in Major depressive disorder and coronary heart disease. Major depressive disorder was evaluated. Major depressive disorder increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease and mortality following myocardial infarction, independent of classical risk factors.
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