Middle-aged and older Chinese adults with depression, visual impairment, or both face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to new longitudinal data. CVD, a leading cause of death globally, includes conditions like heart disease and stroke.
A study of over 18,600 participants aged 45 and older found that depression alone carried the highest CVD risk (HR: 1.60). Those with both depression and visual impairment also faced elevated risk (HR: 1.56), while visual impairment alone showed a lesser increase (HR: 1.25).
Researchers suggest routine screening for depressive symptoms in older adults could be crucial for CVD prevention. The findings underscore the importance of integrated approaches addressing mental health alongside sensory impairments to reduce the cardiovascular burden in aging populations.