(Dixon, IL) February is American Heart Month, which highlights the prevalence of heart disease and other heart related issues. There are three significant factors for heart disease including high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking. Unfortunately, almost half (49%) of Americans have at least one of these risk factors.
Studies have shown that those suffering from heart disease also face increased risk of depression. One study, by Duke University Medical Center, found that those who had a heart attack were 3 times more likely to suffer from depression than the general population. About 6.7% of adults aged 18 and older suffer each year from depression in the United States.
