Prolonged depression can double the risk of stroke in people older than 50 years, and the risk remains elevated even after the symptoms of depression go away.

This is evidenced by the results of a new study published in the American medical publication Journal of the American Heart Association.

“Our findings suggest that the effect of depression on stroke risk is more serious and lasting than previously thought,” writes Dr. Paola Gilsanz, lead author of the study, researcher at the Cheng School of Public Health at Harvard University (USA).

Scientists used data from 16,178 participants in the Health and Retirement Study. All participants were over 50. The authors of the study collected data on individual risk factors for stroke and observed participants for 12 years.. 1,192 stroke cases have been documented during this period..

The main findings of the researchers:.

• Participants with severe symptoms of depression, according to two (with an interval of two years) previous interviews, have a risk of stroke almost 2 times higher than in people without depression.

• Participants with symptoms of depression only according to the first interview have a 66% higher risk of stroke than people without depression. Even if a person has recovered from depression, his risk of stroke remains elevated for a long time..

• Recent depression does not appear to have a significant impact on stroke risk..

Previous studies have shown that depression is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, impaired autonomic nervous system function and high levels of inflammation markers.. Depression May Cause Various Vascular Disorders. In addition, people with depression often lead an inactive lifestyle, as well as smoke and abuse alcohol..

“Although we now know for sure that depression can lead to stroke and goes hand in hand with a couple of other risk factors, we still need to do more research to understand the relationship between stroke and depression,” writes Dr. Maria Glymour,.

medbe. ru.