Depression Health Center

Depression Raises Women's Stroke Risk

Depression and Stroke: Perspective

"This confirms an important association of depression with stroke," says Ralph Sacco, MD, chair of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and immediate past president of the American Heart Association.

"This study is large, well-conducted, and looked at not just depressive symptoms but the diagnosis of depression and taking of medication," he tells WebMD. He reviewed the study findings but was not involved in the research.

Although the researchers accounted for such risk factors as high blood pressure and cigarette smoking when they computed stroke risk, he says those factors may still be helping to drive the link.

The take-home message, he says, is to realize that depression affects far more than mental health. "We need to be recognizing depressive symptoms and doing something about it. Often people ignore depression and do not get it properly treated.

"If you are depressed, make sure you get the help you need," he says. Treatment may include medication, counseling, or both.