Adolescence and depression: reducing cardiovascular disease through preventive health checks

Abstract

Adolescent depression is a prevalent, serious health condition seen in primary care that is associated with many adverse physiologic changes, including cardiovascular disease. The aim of this integrative review was to examine those cardiovascular changes and determine whether preventive health checklists can help screen, identify, and ultimately prevent these changes. The eight studies selected for this review do not provide enough evidence to support the use of preventive health checklists as a way to prevent the cardiovascular effects of depression in adolescents. However, they form the basis for recommendations to be implemented in the primary care setting for ways to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease in adolescents with depression including using a multidisciplinary approach and guidelines for monitoring vital signs, weight, and bloodwork of these adolescents. Areas for future research are suggested and limitations of the evidence are also acknowledged.