Is There a Link Between Heart Disease and Depression?
If your aging relative has heart disease, research shows that it is important to watch for signs of depression. Doctors have known for a long time that there is a link between depression and heart disease. However, recently, scientists conducted research to discover what might cause people with heart disease to also develop depression. The study produced some surprising results.
Scientists Find Potential Heart Disease and Depression Link
Researchers from the University of Cambridge, which is in the United Kingdom, looked at data from about 370,000 people between the ages of 40-69. The data was obtained through the UK Biobank database. Some of the things they found are:
- Having a family history of heart disease increases a person’s risk of depression. Having a parent who died from heart disease increased the risk of depression by 20 percent.
- The link between a family history of heart disease and depression did not appear to be genetic.
- The risks for heart disease and depression share three biomarkers: triglycerides and two inflammation-related proteins. The body produces the proteins in responses to certain kinds of stress, like smoking, being physically inactive, and psychological stress.
This individual study does not prove a cause and effect relationship between inflammation and heart disease and depression. However, it does provide scientists with important information that could help to prevent depression in heart patients.
Dealing with Heart Disease and Depression
Being depressed can sap your aging relative’s energy and desire to work toward better heart health. It can cause them to make unhealthy choices in food and prevent them from exercising. In addition to following the doctor’s advice, some other ways to manage depression with heart disease are:
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- Talk to the Doctor: If your aging relative shows signs of depression, tell the doctor. There are treatments available for depression.
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- Develop Healthy Habits Slowly: Taking small steps toward a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to make changes, even with depression. For example, encourage the older adult to take a short walk down the street and back, or even just down the driveway to get the mail. Work toward longer walks. As for changing eating habits, start adopting healthy cooking techniques slowly, such as by first adding more vegetables to meals then making other changes, like reducing salt.
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- Change One Thing at a Time: Instead of trying to change every bad habit the senior has all at once, work on one at a time.
Senior care can help older adults with heart disease and depression to make healthy changes. A senior care provider can watch for signs of depression and let a family caregiver know how the older adult is doing. Senior care providers can also incorporate physical activity in your aging relative’s day by helping them to take short walks or do physical activities around the house. Finally, senior care can assist with managing both conditions by reminding the elderly person to take their medications on schedule.
If you or someone you know needs Homecare in Foley, AL, please contact the friendly caregivers at Hughes Home Care. We provide quality and affordable care for your elderly loved ones in our community. Call Us Today 251-517-9901. Serving Mobile & Baldwin County.
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/
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