HOW ARE DEPRESSION AND HEART HEALTH INTERRELATED? - Dr. Ranjit Jagtap

 

When you are depressed, anxious, or stressed, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, blood flow to your heart decreases, and your body produces high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Eventually, these consequences can result in heart disease. Depression and distress might tend to cultivate after cardiac episodes, involving strokes, and heart attacks.

For numerous years, scientists have learned about the alliance between depression and heart disorders. More than a quarter of cardiac patients withstand depression, and people with depression are more plausible to develop cardiac disease.

When people are stressed, anxious or depressed, they can feel overwhelmed and therefore less inclined to make healthy lifestyle choices. They are more likely to smoke, not exercise, sleep too much or too much, drink too much alcohol and not be able to take the prescribed medicine. Over time, these unhealthy habits can boost the risk of heart disease. Depression can make it arduous to even get out of the sack, let alone physical activity and cook yourself a nourishing meal every day.

Dr Ranjit Jagtap, a prominent cardiologist in Pune says- people with depression are more likely to have unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, weight gain and smoking. "All of these are risk factors for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease itself," Dr Ranjit Jagtap further adds.

Research indicates that psychological health also has physiological influences on the body. When you're feeling low, you tend to miss a workout and/or comfort to reach for the food that does nothing more than prickle your taste buds. But managing your heart health is significant, even when you don't feel chipper and eupeptic. Anxiety, depression, stress and anxiety can lead to changes that can affect your health, not only because you can fall into habits that are not good for your heart.

“I am convinced that depression is a self-sufficient risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in patients with severe heart disease," said Dr Ranjit Jagtap, who laid the foundation of Ram Mangal Heart Foundation. He further adds- Nonetheless, depression is also correlated with additional risk aspects, including smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle so it is challenging to discern its consequences from those of other risk aspects.

The association between depression and heart health is two-way. Depression intensifies your risk of heart problems by 65 per cent, the research concluded. About one in five people with heart disease experience vital depression, reports unveil. Depression is a well-known risk factor for heart disease, not only because of its emotional but also physical effects, says Dr Ranjit Jagtap Clinic, gold medalist in general surgery in MBBS and MS, both.

Heart disease, a group of problems that affect the heart and blood vessels, is the number one - and silent - cause of death. A condition called atherosclerosis often leads to coronary heart disease, which is a type of heart disease. Research shows that people who are depressed have a higher risk of heart disease associated with atherosclerosis. A large study published in June 2019 in ‘BMJ Open' showed that adults aged 40 to 80 with depression have a higher risk of heart disease associated with atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis affects blood vessels called arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Over time, as you age, your muscles gradually harden and build up around the walls of your arteries. Most people with atherosclerosis have no symptoms, especially in mild cases. But in other cases, muscle stiffness and plaque make it harder for blood to flow properly through your arteries. This can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, both of which can be fatal.

Atherosclerosis affects blood vessels called arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Over time, as you age, your muscles gradually harden and build up around the walls of your arteries. Most people with atherosclerosis have no symptoms, especially in mild cases. But in other cases, muscle stiffness and plaque make it harder for blood to flow properly through your arteries. This can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, both of which can be fatal.

Depression and heart disease often have associated symptoms, such as fatigue and anxiety, symptoms you think are due to your depression may have other causes. It is very crucial to always contact your doctor if you experience any new symptoms.

Aditi Jagtap, director of Ram Mangal Heart Association says, There are also plausible behavioural explanations, such as poor adherence to diet, exercise and medication, as well as increased smoking, which have been linked to depression with or without heart disease.

Aditi Jagtap Pune, daughter of Dr Ranjit Jagtap suggests – Simple Exercises such as Walking or Jogging can aid you to maintain your heart health. Exercise makes you feel better when you do it, but regular exercise can also improve your health, reduce your risk of depression, and improve your overall quality of life.

If eating junk food has become a habit, try using healthier cooking methods or replacing foods to reduce fat, added sugar, sodium, and calories. Consume healthful foods, such as incorporating fresh fruits and green, leafy vegetables, or preferring undressed salads and other low-fat dishes when you eat.

Aditi Jagtap asserts, Ultimately, the responsibility of taking good care of yourself to break the cycle of depression lies on you. You can do something disciplined and structured, like joining a yoga class or tai chi practice, taking time out for doing activities like meditating, listening to music, or reading a positive book and journaling.