antidepressants

Researchers examined participants' symptoms of depression, use of antidepressants and diagnoses of depression by doctors from 2000 to 2006. Depression can increase stroke risk through a variety of mechanisms, Dr. Pan explained. History of Depression

In their study, Dr. Pan and his colleagues sought to determine whether depression itself could increase the risk for future stroke.

During the 6 years of follow-up, 1033 incident stroke cases were documented — 538 ischemic strokes, 124 hemorrhagic strokes, and 371 strokes of unknown origin.

Current depression was linked to a greater risk for stroke than a history of depression. Women who reported that they were currently depressed had a 41% increased risk for stroke (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.67).

"I do think that the numbers suggest that depression carries an increased risk of stroke, but one substantially lower than the increased stroke risk associated with smoking, which is 2 to 3 times increased, high blood pressure, 5 to 6 times increased, diabetes, 2 to 4 times, and even high cholesterol," he pointed out. recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2011;168:511-521) suggested that antidepressant use was associated with an increased risk for stroke.



Antidepressant medication also appears to play a role in stroke risk. Stroke -- that women should not stop taking their antidepressant medications.