Top 10 updates on the ‘heart-mind connection’

The terms “heart” and “mind,” to the general public, often refer to abstract representations of human emotions and thoughts. However, associations between the functioning of the CV system and the brain have been increasingly identified. Specifically, co-existing CVD risk factors and psychiatric or cognitive disorders appear to have interrelated or additive effects on CV outcomes. From links between Alzheimer’s disease and CVD risk factors, to associations between depression and HF outcomes, recent research has unearthed a great deal of interaction between human psychology, cognitive function and heart disease. The following are 10 recent updates on the connection been the heart and the mind.

1. Alzheimer’s disease may be genetically linked to two CVD risk factors.

A study of summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of more than 200,000 individuals suggests that high levels of C-reactive protein and plasma lipids may be linked to the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Read more.

2. Long-term high BP may be associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Another association between Alzheimer’s disease and CVD risk factors was found in Mendelian randomization analyses, which identified an association between lifetime exposure to higher systolic blood pressure and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Read more.

3. In patients with HF, depression and diabetes may predict poor survival and rehospitalization.

According to findings published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, a combination of comorbid diabetes and depression appears to increase the likelihood of mortality and cardiac rehospitalization.Read more.

4. Among oral anticoagulation patients, depression and anxiety may increase risk for mortality.

In a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology, researchers found an association between depression and anxiety in patients on long-term oral anticoagulation and all-cause mortality. Read more.

5. Teens suffering from major depression and bipolar disorder may be at risk for early CVD.

A statement from the American Heart Association linked the presence of these mood disorders in teens with accelerated atherosclerosis and early CVD. Read more.

6. In black patients with HF, co-existing depression may raise the risk for all-cause mortality or hospitalization.

Data on patients enrolled in the HF-ACTION trial found that black patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction who had depression that worsened over time had an elevated risk for poor HF outcomes. Read more.

7. Depression and extremes in BP may predict CV events.

A community-based study, conducted in Scotland, identified a significant interaction between depressive symptoms and systolic BP in predicting a major CV event. Read more.

8. Patients with concurrent CHD, stress and depression are at elevated short-term risk for MI and death.

In an analysis of 4,487 patients with CHD enrolled in the REGARDS prospective cohort study, co-existing CHD, stress and depression confer increased risk for MI and death during the first 2.5 years of follow-up. Read more.

9. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, high levels of anxiety, anger and depression are associated with increased risk for CV events.

In a study published in Arthritis Care and Research, investigators found that anxiety, anger and depression are associated with atherosclerosis markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Read more.

10. In women, trauma and PTSD may be linked to CVD.

Findings from the Nurses’ Health Study II have shown that female nurses who suffered from trauma or increased symptoms of PTSD had a greater likelihood of developing CVD. Read more.