![\"Feeling](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Depression_3830461_s-2015.jpg\")
A special word of warning for those who feel down or depressed a lot. <\/p>\nA special word of warning for those who feel down or depressed a lot. <\/p>\n
You\u2019re at a greater risk of catching a specific disease that can take you out in a few seconds without a warning.<\/p>\n
This is according to a reliable joint study conducted by four respected universities \u2013 Harvard, University of California, University of Washington and University of Minnesota.<\/p>\n
A recent study from 4 universities \u2013 Harvard, University of California, University of Washington and University of Minnesota- revealed that those with chronic depression are more than twice as likely to suffer stroke as those who don\u2019t suffer depression. <\/p>\n
What is worrisome is not just this higher risk but the fact that the risk remains high even if the depression symptoms go away. <\/p>\n
The researchers analyzed data from the well known \u201cHealth and Retirement\u201d study, including data on 16,000 participants 50 years and older, over a period of 12 years.<\/p>\n
Every 2 years, between 1998 and 2010, the people were questioned (among other things) about their symptoms of depression, stroke history and factors that could have induced stroke. <\/p>\n
While it is commonly known that depression increases stroke risk, this study reveals the risk doesn\u2019t go completely down even after the depression symptoms have disappeared. <\/p>\n
In fact, those who suffered depression in the first interview still were 66% more likely to suffer stroke around the second interview, even in the absence of depression symptoms.<\/p>\n
There is, however, a big difference between 200% increase in stroke risk and 66%. And the risk keeps on going down the longer you remain depression-free. It\u2019s therefore very important to start addressing this issue now.<\/p>\n
Depression, and even feeling down a lot, is a serious issue. The risk of stroke is just a proof how it can directly lead to fatal diseases.<\/p>\n