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thank you for rating! Got the Blues? Your Heart May Be Out of Rhythm.

Depression is known to be a marker for poor prognosis after a heart attack and, as previously mentioned, it may also be an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, similar to high blood pressure and cholesterol. Some of the proposed mechanisms linking heart disease and depression include:

• increased inflammation
• thick, sticky blood
• increased adrenaline
• decreased heart rate variability

Good News for the Blues

• The "Sad Heart" study found that heart failure patients given the anti-depressant medication had 23 percent fewer cardiovascular events than a control group. And although the results were not statistically significant, researchers are continuing to study treatment for depression for patients with heart failure.
• Exercise may also be a lifesaver for depressed heart patients. According to the results of a national study led by Duke University, heart attack patients who are depressed or without social support are more than twice as likely to die of a second heart attack if they do not exercise.
• Two other common interventions for depression--psychotherapy and counseling--significantly improve depression and improve quality of life for heart patients. However, they have not been shown to reduce mortality from heart disease.

In Summary
Data suggests that heart disease and depression are undoubtedly linked. So if you are feeling down and a little blue, whether you have heart disease or not, seek medical advice, it will help protect your heart. And while you’re cheering up listening to music, skip the blues and pick something upbeat that makes you want to get up and dance--it will be therapeutic in more ways than one.

Dr. John Kennedy is an invasive cardiologist and board member of the American Heart Association. He has a particular interest in the negative impact of stress on our cardiovascular system and speaks regularly to businesses about managing stress in the workplace. Dr. Kennedy is co-author of the book “Breathe: Heal Your Heart in Just 15 Minutes a Day,” which will be released by John Wiley and Sons in February 2009. Visit Dr. John Kennedy's website at www.johnkennedymd.com. Send your questions to John@smartnow.com.