Posted Dec 8, 2011
DEPRESSION may increase the chances of women having a stroke, research suggests.
A large six-year study found that a history of depression increased the risk of stroke in post-menopausal women by 29%.
Women who used common antidepressants such as Prozac had a 39% higher risk. But scientists said drugs on their own were not thought to be the primary cause of higher stroke risk and they urged women not to stop taking their medication.
Co-author Dr An Pan, from Harvard Public School of Health in Boston, said depression could be linked to inflammation, which in turn might increase the risk of stroke and other conditions.
“Regardless of the mechanism, recognising that depressed individuals may be at a higher risk of stroke may help the physician focus on not only treating the depression, but treating stroke risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and elevated cholesterol, as well as addressing lifestyle behaviours such as smoking and exercise,” he said.
Dr Peter Coleman, deputy director of research at The Stroke Association, said more research was needed to determine whether depression alone could be a stroke risk factor.
Women suffering from depression may be less motivated to maintain good health or control other medical conditions linked to an increased risk of stroke, he said.