Pain gap between men and women: Women with depression have a 64% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than men with the same condition, study suggests
Women diagnosed with depression have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke than men who have also been diagnosed with a mental disorder.
Researchers analyzed the health data of 4.1 million people to find the link between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart attacks, strokes and angina – chest pain or pressure that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood or oxygen .
While both men and women with depression had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), women showed a greater risk: 64 percent compared to 39 percent for men.
According to researchers at the University of Tokyo, women are also more susceptible to angina, stroke and other heart problems.
About 44 percent of women suffer from some form of heart disease (stock photo)
Dr. Hidehiro Kaneko, co-author, said this discovery could help develop sex-specific targeted prevention and treatment strategies that address the specific CVD risks faced by depressed patients.
He said: ‘A better understanding will allow healthcare providers to optimize care for both men and women with depression, leading to better CVD outcomes for these populations.’
The authors suggested that women may experience more severe and persistent symptoms of depression than men, which could contribute to their poorer heart health.
Women are more likely to experience depression during hormonal changes, such as their menstrual cycle and menopause. Women are also more susceptible to underlying risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
Additional results showed that compared to non-depressed women, women with the condition had a 52 percent higher risk of heart attack, a 68 percent higher risk of angina, a 56 percent higher risk of stroke and a 64 percent higher risk on heart failure.
Among men, those with depression had a 16 percent increased risk of heart attacks, a 46 percent increased risk of angina, a 42 percent increased risk of stroke and a 28 percent increased risk of heart failure.
Researchers conducted the study between depression and cardiovascular disease using a database of medical claims between 2005 and 2022.
Depression was defined as depression clinically diagnosed before the first health check-up.
The study collected vital data, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and blood tests.
Researchers then analyzed the differences between participants with and without depression to determine the increased risk.
Women are at greater risk than men of developing depression and it is estimated that one in eight women in the United States suffer from mental health problems – almost twice as many as men.
In the US, one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease and accounts for approximately one in five deaths.
About 44 percent of women suffer from some form of heart disease. In men, heart disease affects more than a third.
Dr. Kaneko said: ‘Healthcare professionals must recognize the important role of depression in the development of cardiovascular disease and emphasize the importance of a comprehensive, patient-centred approach to its prevention and management.
‘Assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease in depressed patients and treating and preventing depression can lead to a decrease in the number of cardiovascular diseases.’
The study was published in the journal JACC Asia.