The study, which included data on approximately 600,000 women, is the first of its kind to examine the connection between perinatal depression and cardiovascular health. It found that women diagnosed with perinatal depression have a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 20 years compared to women who have given birth without experiencing perinatal depression. The study identified the strongest associations with risks of high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure.Perinatal depression, which refers to depression during pregnancy or after giving birth, is thought to impact approximately 20% of women worldwide. A study published in the European Heart Journal has revealed that perinatal depression is strongly linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure. This groundbreaking research, conducted by Dr. Emma Bränn, Dr. Donghao Lu, and their team from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, is the first of its kind to investigate the effects of perinatal depression on cardiovascular health. The study included data from around 600,000 women, highlighting the significant impact of perinatal depression on heart health.Kholm, Sweden. Dr. Lu’s research group has discovered that perinatal depression is linked to an increased risk of various health issues, such as premenstrual disorders, autoimmune disorders, suicidal behavior, and premature death.
“Cardiovascular disease is a major global cause of death, and there has been ongoing discussion about including reproductive health in the assessment of risk among women. Our goal was to determine if a history of perinatal depression could be used to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
The study utilized data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, which documents all births in the country.In the study, researchers compared 55,539 Swedish women diagnosed with perinatal depression from 2001 to 2014 with 545,567 Swedish women who had also given birth during that time but were not diagnosed with perinatal depression. The study followed these women until 2020 to see if they developed any cardiovascular disease. The results showed that 6.4% of women with perinatal depression developed cardiovascular disease, while only 3.7% of women without perinatal depression developed the disease. This means that women with perinatal depression had a 36% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Additionally, their risk of high blood pressure was approximately 50% higher.The study found that women with perinatal depression have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The risk of heart attack is around 37% higher, the risk of ischemic heart disease is around 37% higher, and the risk of heart failure is around 36% higher. Dr. Bränn, the senior author, stated that these findings could help identify individuals at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and take steps to reduce this risk. This study also highlights the established health risks of perinatal depression, which is preventable and treatable. The findings emphasize the importance of holistic maternal care with equal attention to mental health.on both physical and mental health.”
“The connection between perinatal depression and cardiovascular disease is not yet fully understood. Further research is needed to better comprehend this relationship in order to develop effective prevention methods for depression and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Additionally, the study compared women who experienced perinatal depression with their sisters and discovered that they had a 20% higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.
“The relatively small difference in risk between sisters indicates that genetic or familial factors may play a role,” noted Dr. Bränn. “There may also be other contributing factors at play.”The connection between postpartum depression and cardiovascular disease, as with other forms of depression, is evident. This includes changes in the immune system, oxidative stress, and lifestyle factors associated with major depression.”
Dr. Amani Meaidi from the Danish Cancer Society: Kraeftens Bekaempelse, Copenhagen, Denmark, stated in an accompanying editorial [2]: “Mood disturbances following childbirth have been observed since the time of Hippocrates, but it wasn’t until 2023 that the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first oral treatment for postpartum depression, making treatment more accessible for millions.”The lack of effective and safe treatment options for perinatal depression is a clear reflection of the historical neglect of women’s health in medical research. The future will show whether proper therapy for perinatal depression can reduce the increased risk of developing cardiovascular morbidity in women. The study by Bränn and colleagues is much needed and welcomed, considering the rise in perinatal depression and the lack of knowledge on cardiovascular disease in women.
