Long-term Changes in Depressive Symptoms and Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of All-Cause Mortality: The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

Association of estimated cardiorespiratory fitness in middle-aged and elderly people with cardiovascular disease: Evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a major threat to public health, while cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a key predictor of chronic disease. Given this, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between estimated CRF (eCRF) and CVD in middle-aged and elderly Chinese people.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) with 4761 individuals were included in analysis. Participants were divided into three groups according to eCRF quantile in sex subgroups. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to explore the correlation of eCRF with CVD (stroke or cardiac events). In total, 4761 participants were included in this cohort study (2500 [52.51%] women). During a 7-year follow-up from 2011 to 2018, 796 CVDs (268 Strokes and 588 cardiac events) were recorded. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, for per 1 SD increase of eCRF, the age-adjusted risk of CVD was reduced by about 18% (HR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93) in men, and was reduced by about 29% (HR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62-0.81) in women. Similar associations were also found between eCRF and stroke and cardiac events. Both subgroup and interaction analyses showed that the interaction of age had a statistically significant effect on CVD risk.

CONCLUSION

ECRF was inversely associated with CVD risk (stroke or cardiac events) in both men and women. Remarkable sex and age differences exist in the effectiveness of increasing eCRF to reduce the risk of CVD. As a potential, efficient and cost-effective risk prediction tool, eCRF deserves further attention and wide application.

Change in cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of depression, anxiety, and cerebrovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been associated with a lower risk of depression, anxiety, and cerebrovascular disease. The aim was to explore CRF changes over time associated with these outcomes.

METHODS

This large-scale prospective cohort study, using data from Swedish population-wide registries and databases (during 1972-2020), included men (n=131,431), with measures of estimated CRF (estCRF) in late adolescence (maximal cycle test) and adulthood (sub-maximal cycle test) (mean years between 24.6, SD 8.8). The study explored how change in estCRF was associated with incident depression, anxiety, and cerebrovascular disease using Cox proportional hazards models. Analyses were performed in 2023.

RESULTS

Higher estCRF in late adolescence and adulthood were associated with a lower risk of incident depression, anxiety, and cerebrovascular disease later in life. For all three outcomes, an increase in estCRF (ml/min/kg and z-score) between the two time points was associated with a lower risk. Further, decreasing from moderate or high estCRF in adolescence to low estCRF in adulthood, compared to staying at a moderate or high level, was associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety (HR:1.24 95%CI 1.07-1.45 and 1.25 95%CI 1.06-1.49, respectively). Conversely, increasing from moderate to high estCRF was associated with a lower risk of incident anxiety (HR:0.84 95%CI 0.71-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that there is a longitudinal association between negative change in estCRF and increased risk of depression, anxiety, and cerebrovascular disease later in life. Decreasing levels of estCRF could be a helpful indicator when identifying these disorders at a population level.

Relationships between sarcopenia, depressive symptoms, and the risk of cardiovascular disease in Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Previous studies had indicated that sarcopenia and depressive symptoms were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of present study was to evaluate the combined effect of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms on the CVD risk.

METHODS

A total of 11,011 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011-2020 were included. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the associations between sarcopenia, depressive symptoms and new-onset CVD, stroke and cardiac events.

RESULTS

During the 7-year follow-up, a total of 2,388 respondents experienced CVD (including 812 stroke and 1,831 cardiac events). There is a significant additive and multiplicative interactions of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms on risk of CVD, stroke and cardiac events. Compared with those without sarcopenia and depressive symptoms, individuals with depressive sarcopenia had the highest risk of CVD, stroke and cardiac events, with the corresponding hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.43 (1.26-1.63), 1.45 (1.15-1.82) and 1.50 (1.29-1.74), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that there was a combined effect of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms on the risk of CVD, stroke and cardiac events. Our findings highlighted the importance of identifying sarcopenia and depressive symptoms, and intervening much earlier both in older and younger population.

Combined influence of depressive symptoms and systemic inflammation on cardiovascular diseases in China

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies had reported a significant association between depressive symptoms and inflammation. The aim of present study was to evaluate the combined effect of depressive symptoms and inflammation level on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS

A total of 9647 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the associations between depressive symptoms, inflammation level and new-onset CVD, stroke and cardiac events.

RESULTS

There were 1731 respondents experienced CVD (including 560 stroke and 1306 cardiac events) during the follow-up period. Compared to individuals without depressive symptoms and low hsCRP level, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.23(1.09-1.38), 1.41(1.21-1.63) and 1.61(1.40-1.87) for those with high hsCRP level alone, with depressive symptoms alone, with both depressive symptoms and high hsCRP, respectively. There were additive and multiplicative effect of depressive symptoms and inflammation on the risk of CVD, stroke and cardiac events (as categorical variables). Furthermore, we found significant additive and multiplicative interactions of depressive symptoms and inflammation with CVD (as continuous variables).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that there was a multiplicative effect of depressive symptoms and inflammation on the risk of CVD. Larger-sample prospective cohort studies are still required to test the potential application of combination of depressive symptoms and inflammation as a screening method to identify individuals at risk of CVD.

Factors Associated with Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors from the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil: Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Oxygen consumption (VO2) is indicative of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and lower levels are related to a higher risk of total mortality among individuals with cancer whose therapy can have adverse consequences on the cardiovascular system. Objective: To examine the associations of patient-reported sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric outcomes and functional variables with CRF in 69 women (55±10 years) and to identify whether walking is a predictor of peak VO2 variation in this population with breast cancer (BC). Method: Female BC survivors receiving hormone therapy after two types of surgery (breast-conserving and mastectomy) underwent a CRF test on a cycle ergometer to measure peak VO2. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic, clinical data, patient reported outcomes (PROs) (depressive symptoms, sleep quality, fatigue, body image) and self-reported walking and tests to measure body fat percentage, waist circumference, flexibility and shoulder range of motion (RoM) were performed. Results: Unemployment and retirement were associated with low CRF, as was the use of aromatase inhibitors instead of tamoxifen. Depressive symptoms, worse body image, greater waist circumference, less flexibility and shoulder RoM were also associated with low CRF. Walking duration, controlled for age and body mass index (BMI), is a 13% predictor of peak VO2 variance in this sample. Conclusion: These factors must be considered in understanding the CRF profile of BC survivors. As walking was a predictor of peak VO2 variance, it should be recommended as a type of physical activity for patients with BC using hormone therapy.

Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Incident Purchase of Hypnotic Drugs in Adults: The HUNT Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with first purchase of a prescribed hypnotic drug in the adult population.

METHODS

A total of 34,357 adult participants (53.9% women) with a mean age of 51.5 years (SD 15.6 years) from the third Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) of 2006 to 2008 were observed until January 1, 2018. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated from a validated nonexercise algorithm. Data on first hypnotics prescription were obtained through linkage to the National Norwegian Prescription Database. Cox regression with 95% CIs was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

After 304,899 person-years of follow-up, 5791 participants had their first registered purchase of prescribed hypnotics, corresponding to an incidence rate of 1.90 per 100 person-years. Each 1-metabolic equivalent of task increase in CRF was significantly associated with 5% (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91 to 0.99; P=.02) and 4% (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.00; P=.046) risk reduction for incident use of hypnotics in men and women, respectively. When CRF was categorized into tertiles with lowest CRF as the reference group, reduced risk was 13% (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.96; P=.006) and 15% (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.95; P=.003) for men in the intermediate and highest CRF category, respectively. In women with highest CRF, the reduced risk was 5% (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.03; P=.22).

CONCLUSION

Cardiorespiratory fitness in adulthood is associated with incident purchase of prescription medication commonly used for sleep problems. These findings suggest that fitness should be considered a target for preventing sleep problems in adults.

Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality from all-causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in the NIH-AARP diet and health study

AIMS

Impractical methods and relatively small cohort have limited the applications of non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (NEE-CRF). This study aimed to assess the association between a pragmatic NEE-CRF method and mortality outcomes in a large prospective cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 330 769 participants [men (n = 186 469) and women (n = 144 300)] aged 50-71 years from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study were assessed at baseline (1995-96) and prospectively followed until 31 December 2015 (14.9 ± 2.1 years). Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using pragmatic and previously validated equation, and Cox hazard analysis for mortality was conducted. Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness was 9.9 ± 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) in men and 7.2 ± 1.6 METs in women. In total, 34 317 men and 20 295 women died during the follow-up. Higher NEE-CRF was associated with lower mortality risk from all-causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Compared to the lowest quartile of NEE-CRF, the hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval for all-cause mortality in the second, third, and fourth quartiles were: 0.82 (0.79-0.84), 0.74 (0.72-0.77), and 0.70 (0.67-0.73) for men, and 0.84 (0.81-0.88), 0.78 (0.75-0.82), and 0.72 (0.68-0.77) for women (P trend <0.001 for all). For each 1-MET increase in NEE-CRF, risks for mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer were 0.85 (0.82-0.88) and 0.89 (0.87-0.91) in men, and 0.84 (0.81-0.88) and 0.89 (0.87-0.91) in women, respectively (P < 0.001 for all).

CONCLUSION

Higher NEE-CRF is independently associated with lower mortality risk in a large prospective cohort of men and women. These results support the utility of the applied NEE-CRF method for risk stratification, prevention, and rehabilitation programs and application in large epidemiological studies.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms and risk of cardiovascular disease: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported that depression is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between long-term depressive symptom patterns and the risk of CVD was not well characterized.

METHODS

A total of 8621 participants with three Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) measurements from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified by latent mixture modeling. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of depressive symptom trajectories with CVD (stroke or cardiac events), and accounting for mortality as a competing risk for CVD.

RESULTS

We identified four distinct depressive symptoms trajectories, characterized by maintaining low CES-D score throughout the follow-up (no depressive symptoms; 5642 participants [65.44%]); high starting CES-D scores but then decreasing scores (decreasing depressive symptoms; 1329 participants [14.91%]); low starting CES-D scores then increasing scores (increasing depressive symptoms; 1154 participants [13.39%]) and maintained high CES-D scores throughout the follow-up (persistent depressive symptoms; 496 participants [6.26%]). During the follow-up period, 853 CVD events (including 362 strokes and 535 cardiac events) were recorded. Compared to participants in the no depressive symptom trajectory, those in the increasing depressive symptoms and persistent depressive symptom trajectories had an increased risk of CVD, with multiple-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.53 (1.28-1.82) and 1.68 (1.34-2.12), respectively. Individuals with increasing and persistent depressive symptoms trajectories also had higher risks of stroke and cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with increasing and persistent depressive symptom over time were associated with increased risk of incident CVD.

The Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Nocturnal and Pre-Sleep Arousal in Patients with Unipolar Depression: Preplanned Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Unipolar depression is associated with insomnia and autonomic arousal. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on nocturnal heart rate variability and pre-sleep arousal in patients with depression. This study was designed as a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized, outcome assessor-blinded, controlled, superiority trial. Patients with a primary diagnosis of unipolar depression aged 18-65 years were included. The intervention consisted of a single 30 min moderate-intensity aerobic exercise bout. The control group sat and read for 30 min. The primary outcome of interest was RMSSD during the sleep period assessed with polysomnography. Secondary outcomes were additional heart rate variability outcomes during the sleep and pre-sleep period as well as subjective pre-sleep arousal. A total of 92 patients were randomized to either the exercise (N = 46) or the control (N = 46) group. Intent-to-treat analysis ANCOVA of follow-up sleep period RMSSD, adjusted for baseline levels and minimization factors, did not detect a significant effect of the allocation (β = 0.12, p = 0.94). There was no evidence for significant differences between both groups in any other heart rate variability measure nor in measures of cognitive or somatic pre-sleep arousal. As this is the first trial of its kind in this population, the findings need to be confirmed in further studies. Patients with depression should be encouraged to exercise regularly in order to profit from the known benefits on sleep and depressive symptoms, which are supported by extensive literature.

Is estimated cardiorespiratory fitness an effective predictor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality? A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) derived from algorithm correlates well with exercise testing-measured CRF, yet its clinical use for mortality risk stratification has not been systematically evaluated. This meta-analysis with dose-response analysis was conducted to quantify its association with risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for prospective cohort studies that investigated the association of eCRF with risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Study-specific multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) per 1-metabolic equivalent (MET) higher of eCRF were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Twenty-five datasets from 8 cohort studies that enrolled more than 170,000 participants were included. The summary HR per 1-MET higher of eCRF was 0.83 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.86) for cardiovascular mortality (11 datasets) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.88) for all-cause mortality (14 datasets) in the general population. These associations showed no sex-difference and were all linearly shaped (all p_nonlinearity ≥ 0.27). The performance of eCRF (assessed by the area under the curve) in discriminating future risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality was higher than all its components (such as physical activity, resting heart rate, and body mass index, all p < 0.05), but slightly lower than exercise testing-measured CRF.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher eCRF was independently associated with lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population, indicating that eCRF might hold the potential as an effective and practical risk prediction tool in epidemiological or population research.

Longitudinal Changes in Depressive Symptoms and Risks of Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

There remains a relative paucity of evidence for the association between changes in depressive symptoms with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the association of change in depressive symptoms and incident CVD and mortality in a large prospective cohort of middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

A total of 6,810 participants free of CVD in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study with two assessments of depressive symptoms at wave 1 (2011-2012) and wave 2 (2013-2014) were included. Elevated depressive symptoms were defined as a score of ≥12 on the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. We used a modified Poisson regression to examine the association of changes in depressive symptoms (never, onset, remitted, and persistent) and incident CVD (a composite endpoint of heart disease or stroke) and mortality at wave 3 (2015-2016).

RESULTS

During follow-up, 457 CVDs and 148 deaths occurred. Multivariable analyses revealed that persistent depressive symptoms were associated with an elevated risk of CVD (risk ratio = 1.77, 95% confidence interval = 1.38-2.26) and mortality (risk ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-2.64) compared with participants without any depressive symptoms. New-onset depressive symptoms increased the mortality risk (risk ratio = 2.37, 95% confidence interval = 1.52-3.69), but not CVD (risk ratio = 1.15, 95% confidence interval = 0.84-1.58). Remitted depressive symptoms were associated with a 35% and 13% excess risk of CVD and mortality, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Persistent and remitted depressive symptoms were associated with an increased risk of CVD. New-onset depressive symptoms predicted elevated mortality risk.

Estimation of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Without Exercise Testing: Cross-Validation in Midlife and Older Women

Background

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with important health risk outcomes, including the development of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Measures of maximal or peak oxygen consumption (VO2) are the typical criterion methods for determining CRF; however, in clinical settings, these measures are impractical.

Methods

We validated a clinically derived estimate of CRF against predicted maximal VO2 in a sample of healthy, midlife and older adult women (n = 188). Women completed a clinic evaluation (including treadmill testing), daily diaries about their physical activity, and additional clinical scales. Two models were tested. The first model calculated estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) using assigned weights and regressed eCRF on predicted cardiorespiratory fitness (pCRF). The second model used sample-specific, empirical weights. Both models were tested twice, once with retrospective and once with daily diary physical activity reports.

Results

The model accounted for 34% of the variance in pCRF when using assigned weights and 41% of the variance in pCRF when using empirical weights. For age, body mass index, and resting heart rate, assigned and estimated weights were similar, but estimates for physical activity differed. There was little improvement in model fit between retrospective and daily diary measurements of physical activity when either assigned (R 2 = 0.32) or fitted weights (R 2 = 0.40) were used.

Conclusions

Midlife and older women's CRF can be estimated from routinely collected clinical measures, demonstrating their utility.

Prediction of cardiovascular health by non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness

Objective

To estimate the incidence of major biological cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults using non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF).

Methods

200 039 healthy people (99 957 women), aged ≥18 years (38.5±12.1 years) from the Taiwan MJ Cohort. eCRF was estimated with validated algorithms. Biological CVD risk factors, including hypertension (HTN), hypercholesterolemia, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and systemic inflammation, were assessed by standardised physical examinations and laboratory tests.

Results

In a basic model, baseline eCRF was inversely associated with the incidence of each CVD risk factor in both men and women (HR per 1 metabolic equivalent (MET) increase in eCRF ranged from 0.53 for T2DM in women to 0.96 for hypercholesterolemia in women). In full adjusted models, the associations were attenuated but remained statistically significant, with the exception of hypercholesterolemia in women. In a subcohort of 116 313 individuals with two repeated exposure measurements, an increase in eCRF was associated in both sexes with a subsequent lower incidence of CVD risk factors (HR per 1-MET increase ranged from 0.58 to 0.91 in models adjusted for age, year of examination and baseline eCRF). Comparisons of predictive performance showed that the addition of eCRF to values of traditional CVD risk factors had relevant improvements in risk discrimination (C-index increased from 0.1% to 3.2%), mainly for HTN and T2DM risk prediction.

Conclusions

eCRF and its changes predict the incidence of biological CVD risk factors, especially HTN and T2DM. Routine assessment of eCRF in clinical settings is technically feasible and might be useful for CVD prevention.

Characterization and Comparison of Physical and Mental Health Profiles and Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Utilization Patterns among Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Women Veterans in Puerto Rico versus the United States

BACKGROUND

Research on the physical and mental health profiles and patterns of health care use among women veterans receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the island of Puerto Rico is lacking.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study examines differences in physical and mental health conditions, and patterns of VA health care use, between women veterans of the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) era who were using VA facilities in Puerto Rico (n = 897) and those using U.S.-based VA facilities (n = 117,216) from 2002 to 2015.

RESULTS

Results of fully adjusted logistic regression models revealed that OIF/OEF women in Puerto Rico had heightened risk for global pain-related disorders (i.e., any pain) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.71), back pain (AOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.56-2.14), diabetes (AOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03-1.95), hyperlipidemia (AOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.80-3.98), major depression (AOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.53-2.06), and bipolar depression (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.34-2.04). They also evidenced greater risk for a host of reproductive health conditions and had higher average annual use of VA health care than their U.S. counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

OIF/OEF women receiving VA health care in Puerto Rico evidenced a greater burden of physical illness, depression, and heightened use of VA health care services relative to their U.S. counterparts. Providers' increased awareness of the physical and mental health care needs of this population is warranted. Research efforts that help to identify efficient and effective strategies to provide culturally tailored and/or personalized health care for this population could also be useful.

Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Reported Depression in College Students

Depression is a serious but treatable health issue that affects college students at an alarming rate. Improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) decreases depression risk and severity but this relationship has not been fully evaluated in the college student population. Non-exercise estimated CRF (eCRF) could be used to identify students at risk for or suffering from depression. This study investigated the associations of depression and eCRF in college students. Participants (N = 437) completed a survey which included demographic and student-status questions, eCRF variables, and a validated depression instrument. Descriptive, chi-square, t-test, regression, and odds ratio analyses were employed. Depression was associated with low-fitness (X 2 = 4.660, P = 0.031) and eCRF below age-predicted CRF (t = 3.28, P < 0.001). Predictors of increased depression included low-fitness, sexual orientation, current depression treatment, and GPA (R 2 = 0.145-0.159; Adj R 2 = 0.135-0.149). Odd ratio analyses determined that low-fitness increased the risk of reporting depression (β = 2.39, P = 0.017, 95% CI = 1.17-4.872) which remained significant when adjusted (β = 2.478, P = 0.017, 95% CI = 1.175-5.229). Adjusted odds ratio analyses also indicated increased risk of reporting depression for those in a sexual minority (β = 2.582, P = 0.001, 95% CI = 1.44,4.629) and undergoing current depression treatment (β = 2.393, P < 0.001, 95% CI = 2.393-13.043). High levels of fitness did not reduce the odds of reporting depression compared to age predicted CRF. A simple eCRF algorithm can be used to identify college student depression.

Exercise Counteracts the Cardiotoxicity of Psychosocial Stress

Physical inactivity and psychosocial stress are prevalent in residents of the United States. The purpose of this article is to review the interaction between these 2 conditions and examine the effects of exercise on stress and cardiovascular (CV) health. A query of scientific references between 1974 to 2018 was performed using the PubMed search engine accessing the MEDLINE database using the search terms psychosocial stress, CV disease (CVD), physical activity, exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, and team sports. Psychosocial stress is a strong independent risk factor for adverse CV events. Conversely, people who experience CV events subsequently have drastically elevated rates of new-onset mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Psychosocial stress and CVD often trigger self-reinforcing feedback loops that can worsen mental health and cardiac prognosis. Exercise predictably improves CV health and prognosis and also is effective at lowering levels of psychosocial stress. Group exercise in particular seems to provide social support while at the same time boosting fitness levels and, thus, may be the single most important intervention for patients with concomitant CVD and emotional stress. Collaborative physical activity, such as group exercise, team sports, interactive physical play, and cardiac rehabilitation programs, have the potential to improve mental health and CV prognosis.

Depression and cardiovascular disease: The deep blue sea of women's heart

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) constitutes a leading worldwide health problem, with increasing evidence of differences between women and men both in epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical management, and outcomes. Data from the literature suggest that women experience a doubled incidence of CVD related deaths, while angina, heart failure and stroke are increasingly prevalent in females. About 20-25% of women go through depression during their life, and depressive symptoms have been considered a relevant emergent, non-traditional risk factor for CVD in this part of the general population. Underlying mechanisms explaining the link between depression and CVD may range from behavioral to biological risk factors, including sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity and impairment in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. However, the neuroendocrine-driven background could only partially explain the differences mentioned above for chronic systemic inflammation, altered hemostasis and modulation of cardiac autonomic control. In addition, some evidence also suggests the existence of gender-specific differences in biological responses to mental stress. Given these premises, we here summarize the current knowledge about depression and CVD relationship in women, highlighting the sex differences in physiopathology, clinical presentation and treatments.