A recent study published in JACC: Asia suggests that women with a history of depression may face a significantly greater risk of heart disease compared to men with a similar history. While both genders with depression are vulnerable to heart disease, the risk appears to be over 50 percent higher in women, according to the findings.
Lead author Hidehiro Kaneko, MD, an assistant professor at the University of Tokyo in Japan, emphasizes the importance of identifying sex-specific factors in the link between depression and cardiovascular outcomes. Understanding these nuances, Kaneko suggests, could inform the development of targeted prevention strategies aimed at improving heart disease outcomes for both men and women.
Dr. Sharonne Hayes, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, notes that the bidirectional relationship between depression and heart disease is well-established. Depression not only increases the risk of developing heart disease but also worsens outcomes in individuals with existing heart conditions.
The study, conducted using a Japanese insurance claims database spanning from 2005 to 2022, involved over four million participants. The cohort, comprising employees and their family members, revealed a median age of 44 years and a predominance of male participants (57 percent). Depression was defined based on clinical diagnosis before the initial health checkup.
Analysis of the data revealed several key findings:
Women with a history of depression were more likely to experience heart attack, stroke, heart failure, chest pain, and atrial fibrillation compared to men with depression.
The risk of heart disease was elevated by 39 percent in men and 64 percent in women with a previous diagnosis of depression.
Each type of heart event carried a higher risk for women with depression compared to men with depression.
Hayes suggests that the differences observed in heart events between genders may be attributed to several factors, including the severity of depression and hormonal transitions unique to women. Additionally, behavioral disparities and variations in conventional cardiovascular risk factors may contribute to differential outcomes between men and women.
Despite nearly identical prevalence rates of depression between genders in the study population, Hayes underscores the importance for women to be vigilant about their risk factors for heart disease. Past episodes of depression, she suggests, should be considered akin to traditional risk factors such as family history or high cholesterol.
To mitigate risk, Hayes recommends lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, adherence to heart-healthy dietary patterns, smoking cessation, and monitoring key health indicators. Seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms of heart attack and addressing symptoms of depression are also crucial steps for women to safeguard their cardiovascular health.
In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of recognizing the impact of depression on heart health, particularly in women, and highlights the importance of tailored prevention strategies to mitigate associated risks.
