title: Depression and cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: We first review the associations between depression and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Then we examine them in the nationally representative Mini-Finland Health Survey, which covers 8,000 persons. Chronic somatic diseases and mental disorders were diagnosed using standardized methods. Cross-sectionally, CVDs and neurotic depression were associated both before and after adjustment for covariates. The strongest associations were observed in the case of severe CVDs. During a 6.6 year follow-up, the risk of CVD death and coronary death was elevated in depressed persons both with and without CVDs at entry. Much of the cross-sectional association is probably due to depression caused by CVDs. The outcome of CVD may be poorer in depressed persons. The hypothesis that depression is a cause of CVDs requires further study.
authors.affiliation: Social Insurance Institution, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aromaa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raitasalo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reunanen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Impivaara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heliövaara
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knekt
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lehtinen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joukamaa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maatela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D015984:Causality; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate