Greater depressive but not trait anxiety symptomatology was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy over 6 years, with each standard deviation increment in depression symptoms associated with a 10% greater incidence of LVH.
The age-standardized cumulative incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy was 5.4% over an average follow-up of 6.0 years among Hispanic and Latino adults.
Each standard deviation increment in depression symptoms at visit 1 was associated with a 10% greater incidence of LVH at visit 2.
LVH incidence was higher among participants with elevated depression symptoms compared to those without.
LVH incidence was higher in the highest versus lowest trait anxiety tertile, but trait anxiety was not independently associated with LVH in multivariable models.
The study population consisted of Hispanic and Latino adults from an ongoing population-based cohort study.
This research suggests that among Hispanic and Latino adults, having more symptoms of depression is linked to a greater likelihood of developing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) — a thickening of the heart's main pumping chamber that is a serious cardiovascular risk factor. Using data from over 6,600 participants followed for an average of six years, the study found that people with elevated depression symptoms were about twice as likely to develop LVH (10.4%) compared to those without elevated symptoms (5.1%). Statistically, each standard deviation increase in depression symptoms was associated with a 10% higher likelihood of developing LVH, even after accounting for other health and demographic factors. Interestingly, while people with higher levels of trait anxiety also had higher rates of LVH in simple comparisons, this association disappeared once other factors were accounted for in the statistical models. This suggests that depression, rather than anxiety, may play a more direct or independent role in the development of LVH. The study adds to growing evidence that mental health and heart health are closely connected. This research matters because Hispanic and Latino populations bear a disproportionate burden of both cardiovascular disease and mental health challenges, yet are underrepresented in large-scale heart studies. By focusing on this community, the findings highlight the potential importance of monitoring and addressing depression as part of cardiovascular health care. The authors call for further studies to better understand the biological pathways through which psychological factors like depression may contribute to structural changes in the heart.
Andrade-Bucknor S, Mesa R, Cordero C, Schneiderman N, Mathew A, Hurwitz B, et al.. (2026). Associations Between Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Among Hispanic and Latino Participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.. Journal of the American Heart Association. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.126.048867