Depression

Depression is not understood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Most depressed patients look fine, but they have high levels of stress chemicals (cortisol, epinephrine, and angiotensin) that keep the heart rate around 90-100, instead of at 60-70.

Stress chemicals will direct extra weight to the belly, the most dangerous storage area for fat. Trust me, it is complicated. A happy person with extra weight will deposit fat in the upper body or legs, the less dangerous storage areas. Belly fat produces many dangerous inflammatory chemicals that cause HTN, DM, heart disease, etc., then fat in other areas does.

Inflammation of the brain causes depression and anger. In the brain that has more omega 6 fat than omega 3 fat, the brain cells become stiff; they are not well connected. That causes a chemical imbalance which leads to anxiety and depression.

The depressed person is more prone to having heart disease. He is not motivated to follow a healthy diet or exercise.

Depression is more common in heart disease. There is a high incidence of heart failure in depressed folks. A two-year death rate after a heart attack is high in depressed folks. This happens because of a faster heart rate which causes extra work for the heart and weakening the heart. A faster heart rate in heart failure is more likely to cause an irregular heart rate. The faster the heart rate, the higher the mortality rate. The slower the heart rate, the less likelihood of an irregular heart rate and the lower the mortality rate.