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Depression in vascular pathologies: the neurologist's point of view

Authors Moretti R, Bernobich E, Francesca E, Torre P, Rodolfo A, de Angelis L, Bellini G

Published 12 July 2011 Volume 2011:7 Pages 433—443

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S20147

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Rita Moretti, Elena Bernobich, Francesca Esposito, Paola Torre, Rodolfo M Antonello, Luisa De Angelis, Giuseppe Bellini
Medicina Clinica, Ambulatorio Complicanze Internistiche Cerebrali, Dipartimento Universitario Clinici di scienze Mediche Tecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

Abstract: The coexistence of depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is regularly discussed, and much debated. There is strong evidence that there are pathophysiological mechanisms, particularly endothelial dysfunction, altered platelet aggregation, and hyperactivation of the thrombosis cascade, which coexist with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis dysfunction, and link depression to CVD. Therefore, depression should not be automatically considered to be a consequence of life impairment due to myocardial infarction or major stroke. Probably, it should be considered as one of the many other stressful events, or “genetic reactions to life”, which are risk factors for CVD development. This review will examine the significance of depression in clinical daily practice, its pathophysiology as a determinant in vascular events, and its real importance in, before, and after many CVD events.

Keywords: depression, cardiovascular disease, stressful events, cardiovascular risks

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