Prenatal Depression Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, prenatal depression may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. The study analyzed data from over 250,000 women and found that those who reported prenatal depression had a 16% higher risk of developing CVD compared to those who did not report depression. The researchers believe that the stress and inflammation associated with depression during pregnancy may contribute to the development of CVD. The study’s lead author emphasizes the importance of identifying and treating depression during pregnancy to not only improve the mother’s mental health but also potentially reduce the risk of CVD in the future.