People with Depression at Greatest Risk of Stroke, Study Reveals

VIVA – Depression is a mental health condition that is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. But recently, two studies have found that depression has the greatest risk of a stroke.

In the first, people who reported the worst depressive symptoms – admitting they’d ‘given up on life improvements’ – were found to have the greatest risk of a stroke.

The research, published in the journal Neurology, found that in the year before suffering a stroke, survivors had been 46 percent more likely to have had low mood when compared to a control group of people who had not had a stroke. The study also suggested that depressed people found it harder to recover after a stroke.

A second study examined the records of people with genes known to be linked to depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder, and found those with the highest genetic risk were more likely to suffer a stroke.

The Lund University scientists behind the analysis said their data showed these mental health problems caused strokes, not the other way around. They suggested if people were screened for mood disorder genes, they could then be advised on how to better manage other factors that are known to increase stroke risk.

A stroke can happen when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing brain cells. The damage can lead to long-term disability and affect how people think and feel. The most common cause is a blockage by a blood clot in arteries supplying the brain. This happens due to cardiovascular disease when blood vessels become narrowed or blocked over time by fatty deposits known as plaques, a process known as atherosclerosis.

While this may happen due to age, other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.

As more information, depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, life events, and medical conditions. It is a common condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

Treatment for depression typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. People with depression need to seek help from a mental health professional, as treatment can be effective in improving symptoms and overall quality of life.