Physical Activity Promotes Health and Reduces Cardiovascular Mortality in Depressed Populations: A Literature Overview

Martino Belvederi Murri, Federica Folesani, Luigi Zerbinati, Maria Giulia Nanni, Heifa Ounalli, Rosangela Caruso and Luigi Grassi
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Martino Belvederi Murri: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Federica Folesani: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Luigi Zerbinati: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Maria Giulia Nanni: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Heifa Ounalli: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Rosangela Caruso: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Luigi Grassi: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64a, 44121 Ferrara, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: Major depression is associated with premature mortality, largely explained by heightened cardiovascular burden. This narrative review summarizes secondary literature (i.e., reviews and meta-analyses) on this topic, considering physical exercise as a potential tool to counteract this alarming phenomenon. Compared to healthy controls, individuals with depression consistently present heightened cardiovascular risk, including “classical” risk factors and dysregulation of pertinent homeostatic systems (immune system, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system). Ultimately, both genetic background and behavioral abnormalities contribute to explain the link between depression and cardiovascular mortality. Physical inactivity is particularly common in depressed populations and may represent an elective therapeutic target to address premature mortality. Exercise-based interventions, in fact, have proven effective reducing cardiovascular risk and mortality through different mechanisms, although evidence still needs to be replicated in depressed populations. Notably, exercise also directly improves depressive symptoms. Despite its potential, however, exercise remains under-prescribed to depressed individuals. Public health may be the ideal setting to develop and disseminate initiatives that promote the prescription and delivery of exercise-based interventions, with a particular focus on their cost-effectiveness.

Keywords: depression; physical activity; exercise; mortality; cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5545-:d:392675

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