Summary of New Study Links Poor Mental Health to Increased Risk of Heart Disease:
Young adults who experience feelings of depression are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and poor heart health, according to a study by researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine. The study analyzed data from over half a million individuals aged 18 to 49 and found that depression in young adulthood could potentially predict CVD. These findings add to the growing body of evidence linking depression and CVD in young and middle-aged adults, suggesting that the relationship between the two conditions may start at a young age. The study underscores the importance of addressing mental health in young adults to improve overall heart health.
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Young Adults with Depression at Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Study Says
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for adults globally. A new study suggests that young adults with depression may be more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD). Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine analyzed data from over half a million adults aged 18 to 49 years and found that depression in young adulthood could potentially predict CVD. The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association adds to the growing body of evidence linking depression and CVD in young and middle-aged adults, suggesting that the relationship between the two conditions may start at a young age.
The Study’s Findings
The study revealed that young adults who reported depression or poor mental health were more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, and other risk factors for heart disease than their peers with good mental health. The researchers found that people who self-reported several days of feeling down had a stronger link to cardiovascular disease and poor heart health. Participants who reported up to 13 poor mental health days had 1.5 times higher odds of CVD, while those with 14 or more days had double the odds. The associations between poor mental health and CVD did not differ significantly by gender or urban/rural status.
The Impact of Poor Mental Health on Heart Health
According to the study’s senior author, Garima Sharma, M.B.B.S., associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, feeling depressed could lead to poor lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking alcohol, sleeping less, and not being physically active, all of which negatively impact the heart. She emphasizes, “The relationship between depression and heart disease is a two-way street. Depression increases your risk of heart issues, and those with heart disease experience depression.” Sharma and her team recommend prioritizing mental health among young adults and increasing screening and monitoring for heart disease in people with mental health conditions to improve overall heart health.
The Need for Further Studies
The study’s lead author, Yaa Adoma Kwapong, M.D., M.P.H., a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, says that this study only provides a snapshot of cardiovascular health among young people with depression. The researchers note that self-reported data could have influenced their research and that other factors, such as genetics, could contribute to depression and cardiovascular disease. New studies need to examine how depression affects cardiovascular health over time.
Conclusion
This study by Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease in young adults. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing mental health in young adults to prevent the development of heart disease. Sharma and her team recommend prioritizing mental health among young adults and increasing screening and monitoring for heart disease in people with mental health conditions to improve overall heart health.
References:
“Association of Depression and Poor Mental Health With Cardiovascular Disease and Suboptimal Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults in the United States” by Yaa A. Kwapong, Ellen Boakye, Sadiya S. Khan, Michael C. Honigberg, Seth S. Martin, Chigolum P. Oyeka, Allison G. Hays, Pradeep Natarajan, Mamas A. Mamas, Roger S. Blumenthal, Michael J. Blaha, and Garima Sharma, 23 January 2023, Journal of the American Heart Association.DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.122.028332
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