Depression 'heightens stroke risk'RSS Feed

People with depression could be at a higher risk of the brain injury seen in stroke, according to new research.

A study published in journal Stroke revealed that a history of depression was linked to a 29 per cent increased risk of total stroke.

Furthermore, those who were treated with antidepressant medication such as Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa were at a 39 per cent increased risk of the condition.

Senior author Kathryn Rexrode explained that depression could prevent individuals from controlling other illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension, or generally pursing a healthy lifestyle.

"I don't think the medications themselves are the primary cause of the risk. This study does not suggest that people should stop their medications to reduce the risk of stroke."

This follows a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine which found that drug rivaroxaban could be just as effective at preventing stroke in irregular heartbeat patients as standard treatment warfarian, as well as being easier to administer.

Serious Law, award winning acquired brain injury law firm

Posted by John Sherrington
 

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