Depression Raises Stroke Risk

Depression and stroke both occur at a high prevalence and incidence among the general population.  Frank Hu, from the Harvard School of Public Health (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues investigated the possible causal connection between the two conditions. The researchers conducted a review and meta-analysis of 28 studies involving a total of 317,540 patients. Observing that 8,478 stroke cases occurred over a follow-up period that lasted up to 29 years, the team found that depression associated with a 45% greater risk of stroke, with depressed patients at greater risk of fatal stroke as well.  The researchers warn that: “Depression is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke morbidity and mortality.”