The Washington Post (6/11, Beard) reports, “A growing body of evidence suggests the effects of mental health has a disproportionate impact on women’s bodies.” Data recently “presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in April indicate that depression and anxiety accelerate the development of new cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly among young and middle-aged women.” Trial participants “with a history of anxiety or depression before the study were about 55 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes compared to those without.” These results were “most pronounced among women with anxiety or depression who were under 50, who were nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular risk factors compared with any other group.”
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— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)