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Article: Depression affects heart rate variability.(Psychosomatic Medicine)
- Article from:
- Clinical Psychiatry News
- Article date:
- October 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Depression severely impairs the recovery of heart rate variability after acute coronary syndrome, reported Dr. Alexander H. Glassman of Columbia University, New York, and his associates.
In addition, heart rate variability (HRV) continues to decline in patients whose depression does not respond to sertraline (Zoloft), while it ceases to decline in those who do respond to sertraline. It is not yet known whether this cardiac benefit is attributable to a pharmacologic effect of the antidepressant, to improvement of the depressive illness, or to a combination of both, the researchers said.
"What is clear is that depression is associated with biological ...