Depressed people could be at an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat, says a study.
Anti-depressants have been previously linked with some serious, but rare heart rhythm disturbances, prompting the question of whether they might also raise the risk of atrial fibrillation.
However, in the study, the risk of irregular heartbeat was 7.65-fold higher before starting anti-depressants, suggesting that anti-depressant medication itself is not associated.
On the other hand, taking anti-depressant drugs helped reduce the depressive symptoms, the study showed.
"The message for patients who already have atrial fibrillation is that you do not need to be concerned about taking anti-depressant medication if you need it," said Morten Fenger-Gron, from the Aarhus University in Denmark.
"Look after your mental health because our study supports existing evidence that problems with the mind can be detrimental for the heart," he added.
For the study, the team included 785,254 Danish citizens initiating antidepressant treatment.
The risk of atrial fibrillation was assessed after starting treatment and in the month before when it was assumed that patients were depressed but medically untreated.
The findings, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, showed that patients taking anti-depressants -- used as an indicator of depression -- had a 3.18-fold higher risk of atrial fibrillation during the first month of treatment compared with the general population.
However, the association gradually reduced thereafter -- to 1.37-fold at 2 to 6 months and 1.11-fold at 6 to 12 months.
"Filling a prescription for anti-depressants, which we used as an indicator of depression, was associated with a three-fold greater risk of atrial fibrillation. The decrease with time could suggest that treatment may alleviate this risk," Fenger-Gron said.
Atrial fibrillation causes 20 to 30 per cent of all strokes and increases the risk of dying prematurely which include signs such as palpitations, shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain and dizziness.
Catch up on all the latest <a title="mid-day news" href="https://www.mid-day.com/news" target="_blank">Crime, National, International and Hatke news</a> here. Also, download the new mid-day <a title="mid-day android app " href="https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr" target="_blank">Android</a> and <a title="mid-day iOS app" href="https://goo.gl/KQziH4" target="_blank">iOS</a> apps to get latest updates
<div id=":74.co" class="JL">
<div id=":74.co" class="JL" style="text-align: justify;">This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Except for the change in the headline, the story has been provided "AS-IS," "AS AVAILABLE, without any verification or editing from our side. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.</div>
</div>

Anti-depressants have been previously linked with some serious, but rare heart rhythm disturbances, prompting the question of whether they might also raise the risk of atrial fibrillation

Depression linked to increased risk of irregular heartbeat: Study

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Lifestyle / Health & Fitness / Article / Depression linked to increased risk of irregular heartbeat: Study

Depression linked to increased risk of irregular heartbeat: Study

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast