A recent study published in the European Heart Journal revealed that perinatal depression, which happens during pregnancy or after childbirth, increases the risk of heart disease by 36% within 20 years,

Researchers used the Swedish Medical Birth Register to compare 55,539 women with perinatal depression (diagnosed between 2001 and 2014) to 545,567 women without it.

They followed the women until 2020 to see if they developed heart disease. The study found that 6.4% of women with perinatal depression developed heart disease, compared to 3.7% of those without. This means women with perinatal depression had a 36% higher risk of developing heart disease. They also had a 50% higher risk of high blood pressure, a 37% higher risk of ischemic heart disease, and a 36% higher risk of heart failure.

The study shows a strong link between perinatal depression and increased risks of various heart conditions.

This research supports earlier findings that perinatal depression is connected to other health problems like premenstrual disorders, autoimmune diseases, suicidal behavior, and early death. Identifying these risks can help with taking preventative steps to protect heart health.

(Source:https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/other/women-with-perinatal-depression-face-a-36-higher-risk-of-heart-disease/ar-BB1ovaZk?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W099&cvid=d5acb70d83d14d0aa8e28dbfc16cdde7&ei=7)