heart rhythm that could have long-term consequences over time, the researchers said.
Depression is another state of emotional distress that has been linked to increases in stress hormones and inflammation. But it has not been linked to heart health because it is more insidious and less obviously stressful than an anxiety attack or fit of rage, Garg explained.
To see whether depression hurts heart health, Garg and his colleagues analyzed data on more than 6,600 participants in a long-term, multi-ethnic study of heart health. This study assessed symptoms of depression when participants entered the trial, and also asked whether they were taking antidepressants.
The researchers found an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation during a decade-long follow-up period if the participants reported signs of depression, compared with those having no depression, Garg said.
The increased risk held even after researchers controlled for other known risk factors for a-fib, including smoking, obesity and high blood pressure.
Luepker, an AHA spokesman, noted that the increased a-fib risk associated with depression was not “enormous.”
But the study raises enough concern that doctors who want to