February: Heart Health Month

Did you know that how you feel can affect your health? This month is national Heart Health Month and depression is a contributing factor in heart disease.

Do you find yourself in tears for no good reason? Is your outlook gloomy for weeks at a time? Do you find family, friends and co-workers tiresome and taxing, and you could really do without them. Is your daily routine something you dread and you'd rather just stay in bed? Does nobody seem to understand how you feel, so you keep it to yourself? Occasionally does it seem like it'd just be a whole lot simpler if you weren't even alive.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, then you're likely suffering from clinical depression. What's worse, depression may be taking its toll on your heart.

There have been speculative links between heart disease and depression since the late 1980s. Since then, further research has concluded that depression may be a contributing factor toward heart troubles. There are a few obvious reasons why people who are depressed are more likely to suffer from heart disease:

Depressed people are more likely to smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol and avoid exercise.

They're less likely to take heart medication if they already suffer from heart disease.

Mental stress that comes with depression may increase plaque formation in the arteries.

Depression could increase the production of free radicals and fatty acids, damaging the lining of the blood     vessels.

The people most likely to suffer from depression linked to heart disease are the elderly, and sadly, they're the least likely to seek treatment for depression. Nineteen to 30 percent of people age 65 and older experience signs of depression [source: Elderweb]. Women are generally more depressed than men, and those living alone are more prone to be depressed.

When you consider that one in three Americans will die from some form of heart disease and that medical doctors often miss the diagnosis of depression, its clear there's a real problem. (Source: Discovery, Fit and Health)

So what can you do to keep heart and mind healthy?

If you think you are feeling sad or blue and longer than a few weeks- get professional help.

Find ways to incorporate exercise, proper rest and a healthy diet into your life. All have been known to    improve both your physical and mental state.

Know that we are here to help:

In a crisis call: 617/ 774-6036 or 800/528-4890
For an appointment: 617/ 847-1914
For general information: 617/ 847-1950 or 800/ 852-2844

Harry Shulman
President & CEO