A recent study by the Harvard Medical School proposes that depression is associated with physical changes in the body which can lead to heart problems. Two important hormone systems which connect depression to heart disease have been identified. These two hormone systems appear to be activated in the presence of depressive feelings and have been reported to influence cardiovascular health, in three primary ways.
The first being that there is a positive correlation between depressive feelings and the activation of molecules called pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines appear to support the production of atherosclerosis and the rupture of cholesterol-filled plague, which can fatally block blood flow to the heart.
The second being that when depression stimulates the two aforementioned key hormone systems, the heart rate and rhythm become impaired.
The third being that stimulation of the two aforementioned key hormone systems can also lead to the over production of platelets. Platelets are described as blood cell fragments instrumental for blood clotting, and too many can lead to the clotting of key vessels and arteries.
Most persons who struggle with chronic depressive feelings, go untreated, and most of those who do, rely solely on antidepressants. While antidepressants promote the production of noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine in the brains of depressed person, they don’t facilitate the process of where a patient will address underlying nurture issues, influencing their depressive symptoms. As time goes by, a treatment for depression solely comprised of antidepressants becomes ineffective for two reasons, the first being that the person begins to develop a tolerance to his antidepressants, requiring larger does, and the second being that a significant number of person turn to illegal drug abuse to self medicate, a popular drug being marijuana. It is general agreed upon in the medical and behavioral science communities that drugs like marijuana, reduce the intended effects of antidepressants.
Even for person with severe depression, receiving professional counseling services goes a long way towards full recovery. As such person not only learn the cognitive and behavioral causes of their depression, but how to adopt healthier cognition and behaviors which fosters healthier feelings, reduces depressive symptoms and subsequently reduces a risk for heart disease.
Ugochukwu Uche MS., LPC
About the Author:
Ugo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Professional Life Coach based in Tucson Arizona.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – A Link Between Depression and the Heart Disease
