Antidepressant shocker: Popular drugs linked to heart attack

[Guest guest]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20050390-10391704.html?tag=latest

April 4, 2011 11:24 AM

Antidepressant shocker: Popular drugs linked to heart attack

Posted by W Freeman

(CBS) Mood may not be the only thing that gets a boost from

antidepressants. New research links the popular drugs to increased

risk for cardiovascular disease.

In a first-of-its-kind study that involved more than 500

middle-aged male twins, researchers found that those who took

antidepressants of any kind were more likely to have a thickening

of the inner linings of arteries in the neck. Greater

"intima-media thickness" is associated with heart attack and

stroke, according to a written statement issued by the American College of

Cardiology.

Previous research has linked cardiovascular disease risk to

depression but not to antidepressants.

"There is a clear association between increased intima-media

thickness and taking an antidepressant, and this trend is even

stronger when we look at people who are on these medications and

are more depressed," lead investigator Dr. Amit Shah, a cardiology

fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, said in the statement.

"Because we didn't see an association between depression itself

and a thickening of the carotid artery, it strengthens the

argument that it is more likely the antidepressants than the

actual depression that could be behind the association."

Dr. Shah said the connection between heart health and

antidepressants is poorly understood, adding that the medications

may increase levels of chemical messengers like serotonin and

norepineprine - which, in turn, might cause blood vessels to

constrict or tighten, boosting blood pressure, a risk factor for

atherosclerosis.

At a press conference held after results of the study were

announced, Dr. Shah said antidepressant use appeared to "age"

carotid arteries by the equivalent of about four years, Medpage

Today reported.

Dr. Janet , senior vice president for science and quality

at the American College of Cardiology, told CBS that she was

surprised by the finding but wasn't worried that antidepressant

use might be a significant contributor to the nation's heart

attack and stroke burden.

What's the take-away message for people taking antidepressants?

"They should know that the association between antidepressants

and cardiovascular risk was mild but significant," Dr.

said."They should not stop taking their antidepressant but should

mention this result to their doctor." In turn, doctors should

carefully assess cholesterol levels, blood pressure, lifestyle

habits, and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients taking

antidepressants, she said.

Just as important, she said, depressed people need to be reminded

that regular exercise can help prevent and treat both

cardiovascular disease and depression - so that more cases of

depression could be controlled through changes in people's habits

rather than with medicine.

"If we could use daily aerobic activity through a behavioral

change rather than with a drug," she said, "boy, am I ever in

favor of that."

[Guest guest]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20050390-10391704.html?tag=latest

April 4, 2011 11:24 AM

Antidepressant shocker: Popular drugs linked to heart attack

Posted by W Freeman

(CBS) Mood may not be the only thing that gets a boost from

antidepressants. New research links the popular drugs to increased

risk for cardiovascular disease.

In a first-of-its-kind study that involved more than 500

middle-aged male twins, researchers found that those who took

antidepressants of any kind were more likely to have a thickening

of the inner linings of arteries in the neck. Greater

"intima-media thickness" is associated with heart attack and

stroke, according to a written statement issued by the American College of

Cardiology.

Previous research has linked cardiovascular disease risk to

depression but not to antidepressants.

"There is a clear association between increased intima-media

thickness and taking an antidepressant, and this trend is even

stronger when we look at people who are on these medications and

are more depressed," lead investigator Dr. Amit Shah, a cardiology

fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, said in the statement.

"Because we didn't see an association between depression itself

and a thickening of the carotid artery, it strengthens the

argument that it is more likely the antidepressants than the

actual depression that could be behind the association."

Dr. Shah said the connection between heart health and

antidepressants is poorly understood, adding that the medications

may increase levels of chemical messengers like serotonin and

norepineprine - which, in turn, might cause blood vessels to

constrict or tighten, boosting blood pressure, a risk factor for

atherosclerosis.

At a press conference held after results of the study were

announced, Dr. Shah said antidepressant use appeared to "age"

carotid arteries by the equivalent of about four years, Medpage

Today reported.

Dr. Janet , senior vice president for science and quality

at the American College of Cardiology, told CBS that she was

surprised by the finding but wasn't worried that antidepressant

use might be a significant contributor to the nation's heart

attack and stroke burden.

What's the take-away message for people taking antidepressants?

"They should know that the association between antidepressants

and cardiovascular risk was mild but significant," Dr.

said."They should not stop taking their antidepressant but should

mention this result to their doctor." In turn, doctors should

carefully assess cholesterol levels, blood pressure, lifestyle

habits, and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients taking

antidepressants, she said.

Just as important, she said, depressed people need to be reminded

that regular exercise can help prevent and treat both

cardiovascular disease and depression - so that more cases of

depression could be controlled through changes in people's habits

rather than with medicine.

"If we could use daily aerobic activity through a behavioral

change rather than with a drug," she said, "boy, am I ever in

favor of that."

[Guest guest]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20050390-10391704.html?tag=latest

April 4, 2011 11:24 AM

Antidepressant shocker: Popular drugs linked to heart attack

Posted by W Freeman

(CBS) Mood may not be the only thing that gets a boost from

antidepressants. New research links the popular drugs to increased

risk for cardiovascular disease.

In a first-of-its-kind study that involved more than 500

middle-aged male twins, researchers found that those who took

antidepressants of any kind were more likely to have a thickening

of the inner linings of arteries in the neck. Greater

"intima-media thickness" is associated with heart attack and

stroke, according to a written statement issued by the American College of

Cardiology.

Previous research has linked cardiovascular disease risk to

depression but not to antidepressants.

"There is a clear association between increased intima-media

thickness and taking an antidepressant, and this trend is even

stronger when we look at people who are on these medications and

are more depressed," lead investigator Dr. Amit Shah, a cardiology

fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, said in the statement.

"Because we didn't see an association between depression itself

and a thickening of the carotid artery, it strengthens the

argument that it is more likely the antidepressants than the

actual depression that could be behind the association."

Dr. Shah said the connection between heart health and

antidepressants is poorly understood, adding that the medications

may increase levels of chemical messengers like serotonin and

norepineprine - which, in turn, might cause blood vessels to

constrict or tighten, boosting blood pressure, a risk factor for

atherosclerosis.

At a press conference held after results of the study were

announced, Dr. Shah said antidepressant use appeared to "age"

carotid arteries by the equivalent of about four years, Medpage

Today reported.

Dr. Janet , senior vice president for science and quality

at the American College of Cardiology, told CBS that she was

surprised by the finding but wasn't worried that antidepressant

use might be a significant contributor to the nation's heart

attack and stroke burden.

What's the take-away message for people taking antidepressants?

"They should know that the association between antidepressants

and cardiovascular risk was mild but significant," Dr.

said."They should not stop taking their antidepressant but should

mention this result to their doctor." In turn, doctors should

carefully assess cholesterol levels, blood pressure, lifestyle

habits, and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients taking

antidepressants, she said.

Just as important, she said, depressed people need to be reminded

that regular exercise can help prevent and treat both

cardiovascular disease and depression - so that more cases of

depression could be controlled through changes in people's habits

rather than with medicine.

"If we could use daily aerobic activity through a behavioral

change rather than with a drug," she said, "boy, am I ever in

favor of that."

[Guest guest]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20050390-10391704.html?tag=latest

April 4, 2011 11:24 AM

Antidepressant shocker: Popular drugs linked to heart attack

Posted by W Freeman

(CBS) Mood may not be the only thing that gets a boost from

antidepressants. New research links the popular drugs to increased

risk for cardiovascular disease.

In a first-of-its-kind study that involved more than 500

middle-aged male twins, researchers found that those who took

antidepressants of any kind were more likely to have a thickening

of the inner linings of arteries in the neck. Greater

"intima-media thickness" is associated with heart attack and

stroke, according to a written statement issued by the American College of

Cardiology.

Previous research has linked cardiovascular disease risk to

depression but not to antidepressants.

"There is a clear association between increased intima-media

thickness and taking an antidepressant, and this trend is even

stronger when we look at people who are on these medications and

are more depressed," lead investigator Dr. Amit Shah, a cardiology

fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, said in the statement.

"Because we didn't see an association between depression itself

and a thickening of the carotid artery, it strengthens the

argument that it is more likely the antidepressants than the

actual depression that could be behind the association."

Dr. Shah said the connection between heart health and

antidepressants is poorly understood, adding that the medications

may increase levels of chemical messengers like serotonin and

norepineprine - which, in turn, might cause blood vessels to

constrict or tighten, boosting blood pressure, a risk factor for

atherosclerosis.

At a press conference held after results of the study were

announced, Dr. Shah said antidepressant use appeared to "age"

carotid arteries by the equivalent of about four years, Medpage

Today reported.

Dr. Janet , senior vice president for science and quality

at the American College of Cardiology, told CBS that she was

surprised by the finding but wasn't worried that antidepressant

use might be a significant contributor to the nation's heart

attack and stroke burden.

What's the take-away message for people taking antidepressants?

"They should know that the association between antidepressants

and cardiovascular risk was mild but significant," Dr.

said."They should not stop taking their antidepressant but should

mention this result to their doctor." In turn, doctors should

carefully assess cholesterol levels, blood pressure, lifestyle

habits, and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients taking

antidepressants, she said.

Just as important, she said, depressed people need to be reminded

that regular exercise can help prevent and treat both

cardiovascular disease and depression - so that more cases of

depression could be controlled through changes in people's habits

rather than with medicine.

"If we could use daily aerobic activity through a behavioral

change rather than with a drug," she said, "boy, am I ever in

favor of that."