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  1. Abstract

    1. Why is this conversation necessary?

      1. Many see depression as a mental illness that strictly affects a chemical imbalance in the brain

        1. Also has somatic effects such as a connection between cardiovascular issues

      2. Need to break the notion that mental illness is not an actual disease, physical effects can show this

  2. Title:

    1. Heartbreak and the Breakdown of the Heart一 A Discussion on the link between Heart Attacks and Depression

  3. Introduction

    1. Numerous studies have experimented with and subsequently discussed the mental and emotional effects of mental illnesses, specifically depression

    2. This paper sees the validity of those effects

      1. looks past them in order to examine more physical and somatic effects

    3. Use the experiments from:

      1. J.P. Headrick et. al. study of myocardial infarction and depression

      2. C.B Nemeroff & P.J. Goldschmidt-Clermont study of depression and cardiovascular disease as a whole

  4. Literature Review

    1. Claims:

      1. There is a connection between major depressive disorder and an increased risk of myocardial infarction.

      2. The connection lies in the biological alterations that depression causes such as a reduction in circulation throughout the sympathoadrenal and pituitary-adrenal axes, as well as cells that tend to reconstruct the lining of blood vessels.

        1. Also lies in how depression often comes paired with chronic stress.

      3. Currently, there is no clear evidence from research to establish a conclusive connection between successful treatment of depression and a decrease in risk of myocardial infarction, leading me to believe that the increase in risk due to major depressive disorder may be irreversible.

  5. Discussion

    1. Limitations of the studies

      1. Testing on animals-- unsure if clear translation to humans, but most likely

        1. Should test on a wider variety of animals, other than rats

  6. Conclusion

    1. Further areas for research

      1. What different stressors other than heartbreak cause myocardial infarction?

        1. Are some stressors worse than others?

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