Depression and The heart
I am a 30-year-old bachelor. In October1997, I came to know that I was suffering from high B. P. When checked it was 140/100. A few days after the test I started getting chest-pain and back pain. Doctors took my ECG and also carried out a treadmill test and blood test. Both were found normal. After this, though the tests were normal, I continued feeling discomfort. I started reading about hypertension and related subjects. In December 1997, my B. P. reached upto 160/126, and I had to be admitted for 3 days in hospital. In this period, from October to December, I was completely depressed.
In January 1998, I read an item in Health Flash in Health & Nutrition magazine which said that if a person is depressed for a minimum period of 2 weeks, the chances (or risk) of heart attack becomes double in the next 13 years.
After reading this I became worried because I remembered my 3-month long depression. I would like to know
- How is depression related to heart attack?
- Why does depression show its effect over such a prolonged period?
- If I under echo cardiography and other tests, and they are found negative, will it indicate that there is no irregularity in my circulatory system?
- Is there any possibility of getting a heart-attack though the tests findings are negative?
- Ketan, Bhopal
Dr B. K. Goyal replies:
- Since the heart and the brain are related by the hormonal balance, any disparity in one affects the other.
- Science has yet to provide a definite answer for this, but depression probably shows its effect over such a long
period because the condition causes the release of hormones that suppress the immune system. Unless it is treated,
this hormonal imbalance will continue to exist, thereby threatening the heart.
- As the echo cardiography shows only the momentory functions of the heart, it is not a clear indication that
there is no irregularity in your system.
- There is a small possibility of a heart attack even if test results show negative.
A Weak Grip :
My problem is, whenever I am writing with a pen it tends slip from my, hand and fall, even though I am holding the pen tightly. I am facing more and more trouble in writing. I have been suffering from this problem for the last 6-7 years. My hands are neither sweaty nor trembling. My age is 48 years. Kindly tell me what I'm suffering from and to whom I should show the problem.
- S. N. Digal, Orissa
Drs. C.H. Asrani & Nilesh Baxi reply :
We understand the problems you must be facing and the embarrassment that goes with it. We would like some more information about your problem.
What about your handwriting? Has it deteriorated lately?
Suppose you do not try to hold the pen tightly, does it still slip out?
Has your grip weakened in any other sphere too? Eg. Holding a cup of tea, while eating, etc.
Do you get cramps, when you begin writing, before the pen fails off? It may then be writer's cramps!
If the answer to even one of the above questions is in the affirmative, please see a Neurophysician. After obtaining a clean chit from the Neurophysician you may consider visiting a Clinical Psychologist.
Chronic Mental Disorder :
I am 44 years old having a psychiatric related disease since 18 years. Treatment has been going on since then and I have been taking tablets every day. Every 3 months I visit my psychiatrist and, after checking, he advises me to continue the tablets. This has been going on for more than 15 ears. Earlier, I was taking Nortin-25 tablet in the morning and Espazine Plus and Nortin-25 in the night. But since the last 6 months I am taking Nortin-25 in the morning and only Espazine Plus in the night as per the doctor's advise. I tried to find out from the doctor as to what kind of disease I was suffering from, and he told me 'your nervous system is weak'. He assured me that I will recover, through the treatment has been going on for very long without any result/cure. Sometime back I tried to stop taking the tablets, but it had a very negative effect: I felt totally weak, as if there was no strength in me, and I became very irritable even over minor issues and then, ultimately, I had to go to the doctor and continue the tablets. Please advise whether my treatment is right. Will I ever become normal? Will I have to take medication lifelong. I do not know anything about this disease. I will be very thankful for you advice.
- M. A. Patel Ahmedabad
Dr. Ashit Sheth replies :
From your letter it appears that you are under the care of good psychiatrist. He is keeping you on a small maintenance dose of medicine. Advances in medical sciences like PET scan, SPECT and other sophisticated procedures have demonstrated that chronic mental disorders are caused by abnormal biological changes in the brain. Several psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depressive psychosis), chronic depression and chronic anxiety require long term drug treatment. Fortunately, the last 10 years have seen great development in drug management of psychiatric disorders. I would suggest you continue with that small dose of medication which is keeping your illness under control and see your doctor regularly.
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