Exercise Could Lower Risk of Heart Disease in Depressed People: Study

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In the United States alone, major depressive disorder affects about 14.8 million Americans aged 18 and above, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reports. Major depressive disorder can develop at any age, but is more prevalent in women than in men.

A new study, which is published in the online edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed how exercise can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease among people with depression, Healthday reported.

Research has shown that those with depression are more at risk of heart disease and other physical problems. In fact, researchers wrote that depression leads to worse outcomes for people with heart disease and other conditions. The study authors also wrote that 20% of people hospitalized due to heart attack are depressed and that heart disease patents are three times more at risk of developing depression compared to the general population.

Medical Daily reported that, for the study, researchers analyzed 965 people with an average age of 49 who did not have heart disease or a depression or mental health diagnosis. The participants were asked to answer questions about their levels of depression and physical activity.

Researchers also measured early indicators of heart disease in the participants, such as artery stiffening and inflammation, which is commonly associated with depression. Results had shown that those who were inactive were most likely to experience early indicators of heart disease, compared to their counterparts who exercised regularly.

Medpage Today reported that the researchers' findings highlight the relationship between depressive disorders and the risk for cardiovascular disease, and recommend routine assessment of depressive symptoms in order to decrease the risk for such cardiovascular diseases.

"Depression and physical inactivity have been shown to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events," Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, who reviewed the study's findings, commented. "Although associations [in the study] were found between depression and artery function, which was improved in people who exercise regularly, additional studies are needed before we can conclude that exercise reduces heart disease risk in those with depression."

Exercise physiologist Samantha Heller of the New York University Medical Center commented that the "human body is one big chemistry lab that not only governs our health, but also our mental and emotional states."

"The human body is designed both physically and biochemically to move," Heller said. "When we exercise these systems jump into gear to adapt to the challenges presented, such as increasing stamina, strengthening muscles and bones, improving mood and reducing anxiety."

"In the brain, exercise increases brain cell activity, vascular function, and produces compounds that boost brain health. All of these things can have big effects on mood, memory and emotion," Heller explained.