Depression, Anxiety Raise Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

In a study conducted at the University College London, researchers found that people suffering from anxiety or depression were at greater risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and death resulting from cardiovascular problems. For the study, researchers tracked the almost 6,600 men and women, noting if the participants were under psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, at the start of the study. After following the participants for an average of 7 years, researchers found that those who were experiencing significant anxiety or depression were 54 percent more likely to have a stroke or some type of cardiovascular problem by the conclusion of the study. The study suggested that the majority of this increased risk is caused by factors such as smoking and lack of physical activity, which are common reactions when a person is depressed or has anxiety. Moreover, the study reported that factors such as inflammation markers in blood vessels and high blood pressure were only a minor part of the relationship between psychological distress and these cardiovascular problems.

It is recommended that patients dealing with anxiety, depression or some other type of distress talk to their doctor and begin treatment for these issues. By treating the major problem, it may reduce the chances that a person dealing with psychological distress will smoke cigarettes or avoid physical activity, which will in turn reduce their risk of stroke, heart attack and other problems. Stroke and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and heart disease, are serious conditions and require immediate treatment by a doctor. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack or stroke in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for your free consultation. Our medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.

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