People with long-term clinical depression tend to have more heart disease because

Individuals suffering from clinical depression are more likely to suffer heart disease and heart attacks. One primary factor is that individuals who are depressed are less likely to engage in good self care strategies: they are more likely to drink and smoke, they are less likely to exercise, and they are less likely to take prescribed medications. Physically, the stress that is associated with depression may lead to plaque formation in the arteries.