Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have a significant impact on physical health as well. Recent research has suggested that individuals who undergo talking therapies for depression may have a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future. However, the study has faced some criticism from experts in the field. In this article, we will take a closer look at the study’s findings and hear from experts on their reaction and what it could mean for the future of treating depression and preventing heart disease.
A recent observational study published in the European Health Journal has shown that treating depression using psychological therapies is associated with lower subsequent risk of heart and circulatory diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. The research was undertaken by Céline El Baoua et al. and involved the examination of national healthcare records in England. The sample was large and comprehensive and included all the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services in England.
Experts in the field, including Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, have welcomed the findings, viewing them as evidence of the connection between brain and heart health. However, they have also pointed out certain limitations of the study, including questions about causality, such as whether the therapy is actually causing the reduction in heart and circulatory conditions and how this effect may be driven further. Randomised controlled trials will need to be conducted in order to understand more clearly the precise impact of psychological therapies on cardiovascular risk. However, the researchers’ observations do resonate with clinicians in the field who recognise that psychological or ‘talking’ therapies may reduce the long-term risk of heart attack or stroke.
Depression and cardiovascular disease are known to be linked. Nevertheless, many patients with cardiovascular disease are not formally assessed for depression, and similarly, the risk of heart disease in depressed people is often overlooked. The study underlines this important link and emphasises the need to improve detection and treatment of depression. In addition, the study suggests that treating depression using talking therapies may reduce the burden of heart disease to a similar extent as other treatments for heart disease. This is because people who have a greater sense of wellbeing tend to be better motivated to look after their cardiovascular health.
As Professor Tim Chico, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, points out, it would be interesting to understand the effects of the therapy on whether people whose depression was treated were more likely to be physically active, eat a healthier diet, take prescribed medication, and the impact on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Improving the detection and treatment of depression is important in its own right, but it may also reduce the burden of heart disease.
In conclusion, while further research is needed to determine the causality of the association between reduction in depression after psychological therapy and reduced future risk of cardiovascular disease, the findings of this study are encouraging. They highlight the importance of treating depression using psychological therapies in improving both mental and physical health.
In conclusion, this observational study sheds light on the potential long-term benefits of talking therapies for depression in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this link, the insights provided by the experts who reacted to this study suggest that talking therapies play a valuable role in supporting mental and physical health. As clinicians continue to explore innovative ways to treat mental health conditions, we can only hope that these findings inspire more comprehensive approaches to patient care that address the interconnectedness of mental and physical health.
