Exercise Cures Depression and Heart Disease
Exercise Cures Depression:
Research over the past two decades has shown that
people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression
than otherwise healthy people, and conversely, that people with
depression are at greater risk for developing heart disease.
Exercise reduces both depression and the risks
of heart disease
Exercise is another potential pathway to reducing both depression
and risk of heart disease.
A recent study found that participation in an exercise training
program was comparable to treatment with an antidepressant medication
(a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) for improving depressive
symptoms in older adults diagnosed with major depression.
Exercise, of course, is a major protective factor against heart
disease as well.
Treatment for Anxiety and depression in the context of heart disease
Treatment for depression in the context of heart disease should
be managed by a mental health professional for example, a psychiatrist,
psychologist, or clinical social worker—who is in close communication
with the physician providing the heart disease treatment.
This is especially important when antidepressant medication is
needed or prescribed, so that potentially harmful drug interactions
can be avoided.
In some cases, a mental health professional that specializes
in treating individuals with depression and co-occurring physical
illnesses such as heart disease may be available.
While there are many different treatments for depression, they
must be carefully chosen by a trained professional based on the
circumstances of the person and family. Recovery from depression
takes time.
Medications for depression can take several weeks to work and
may need to be combined with ongoing psychotherapy. Not everyone
responds to treatment in the same way. Prescriptions and dosing
may need to be adjusted.
No matter how advanced the heart disease, however, the person
does not have to suffer from depression.
Treatment can be Effective.
Remember, depression is a treatable disorder of the brain. Depression
can be treated in addition to whatever other illnesses a person
might have, including heart disease.
This Article is part of the NIH Publication No. 02-5004 article
If you think you may be depressed or know someone who is, don't
lose hope. Seek help for depression.
You can find more information regarding Depression
and heart disease at the NIH website
NIH Publication No. 02-5004
Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service National
Institutes of Health National Institute of Mental Health May 2002
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