Exercise, Drugs Compared for Depression Tx in CHD Patients

slimvictor

slimvictor

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In patients with coronary heart disease, aerobic exercise and the antidepressant sertraline are both associated with reduced depressive symptoms when compared to placebo, and they both tend to improve heart rate variability, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

THURSDAY, Aug. 2 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with coronary heart disease, aerobic exercise and the antidepressant sertraline are both associated with reduced depressive symptoms when compared to placebo, and they both tend to improve heart rate variability, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., from the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and associates investigated the efficacy of exercise and antidepressant medication in reducing depression symptoms in 101 outpatients with coronary heart disease and elevated depression symptoms. Participants were randomly allocated to four months of aerobic exercise (three times per week), sertraline, or placebo. In addition, cardiovascular biomarker levels were assessed.

At 16 weeks, the researchers found that all groups showed improvement on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores. Larger reductions were achieved by patients in the aerobic exercise and sertraline groups, versus placebo (P = 0.034), with no significant difference noted between the exercise and sertraline groups (P = 0.607).


cont at
http://www.doctorslounge.com/index.php/news/pb/31029
 
interesting, thanks for the post...
exercise does much more than increase 'feel-good' neurotransmitters though, it increases self-esteem thus alleviating situational or even chronic depression symptoms.


i still think exercise has done much more than any drug has done for me, specifically heroin.
 
anti-depressants are bullshit. their function is a result of an elementary understanding of neurological action that, when combined with a placebo effect, produces minute and unsustainable changes in wellbeing. thats what i believe anyway..
 
To me, exercise is the most amazing drug (though perhaps it is better to call it a "drug delivery mechanism" or something).
I feel so good all day after doing the right amount of the right kind/intensity of exercise.
However, if I do too much, I feel really tired and low afterward.
When I hit that sweet spot - for me, now, it is around an hour of yoga (including strength-building yoga) plus a 30 minute run or bike ride - I feel kinda stoned, kinda opiated for hours and hours. But very lucid.

(Of course, mixing exercise with drugs makes everything stronger and better, for me, which is a bit unfortunate.)
 
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