Does Depression Predict Cardiovascular Disease?

How much do emotional symptoms predict the risk of cardiovascular disease? The negative emotions anxiety, hostility, and anger do not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. But the so-called somatic-vegetative symptoms of depression – fatigue, sleeplessness, poor appetite – and cognitive-affective symptoms - sadness, pessimism, and indecisiveness – do have such a link. According to a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, it seems that the somatic-vegetative symptoms are associated with early changes in the arteries signifying atherosclerosis - increased intima-media thickness over a 3-year period, usually measured by ultrasound of the carotid artery; greater depressive symptoms were linked with a greater change in the arteries. The cognitive-affective symptoms of depression, and the negative emotions (anxiety, hostility, and anger), however, were unrelated to arterial intima thickness.

The reason for the different behavior of the two types of depression symptoms is not clear. The researchers believe their finding may allow therapists to target the physical side of depression, and help reduce the development of cardiovascular problems later on. The finding also represents a boost for the use of physical activity in combating depression.