A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, found that physical activity can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by affecting stress responses in the brain. The study, which analyzed data from over 50,000 participants, showed that individuals who met the recommended levels of physical activity had a 23% lower risk of developing heart disease. People with depression saw an even larger benefit from physical activity, with exercise being twice as effective in lowering cardiovascular disease risk among those with depression.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with 17.9 million deaths estimated in 2019. Depression, which affects approximately 280 million people globally, can lead to cardiovascular disease due to associated behaviors like unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity. The relationship between CVD and depression is symbiotic, with both conditions increasing the risk of the other. Stress-related conditions like anxiety and PTSD can also contribute to the development of heart disease, creating a breeding ground for cardiovascular issues.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, explained that depression and cardiovascular disease have a bidirectional relationship, with individuals experiencing one condition being at higher risk for the other. People with depression may have increased blood pressure and physiological stress, leading to an elevated risk of heart disease. The unhealthy behaviors associated with depression, such as smoking and lack of exercise, further contribute to the development of cardiovascular issues.
Dr. David Merrill, a geriatric psychiatrist, highlighted the relationship between depression, stress-related brain activity, and heart disease. He explained that many medications for depression work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, influencing behavior and mood. On the other hand, exercise can naturally regulate brain chemistry by impacting appetite hormones, reducing inflammation, and increasing metabolism, ultimately counteracting depression and stress-related brain activity.
According to Dr. Chen, the effects of exercise on reducing stress-related brain activity may be mediated by endorphins produced during higher-intensity physical activity. These endorphins play a crucial role in improving mood and reducing the risk of developing heart disease. The chemical changes in the brain due to exercise can promote the growth of proteins that form new connections in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, enhancing mood and providing other physiological benefits that can lower the chances of heart disease.
Dr. Merrill emphasized that exercise has a positive impact on both the brain and the body, contributing to cardiovascular health by improving mood through alterations in brain plasticity. Unlike antidepressant medications, physical activity increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, reducing stress-related overactivation of the autonomic nervous system. By increasing the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and promoting alterations in brain plasticity, exercise can have a profound effect on mood and overall cardiovascular health.
