To explore the relationship between cardiovascular health (CVH) and depression in postmenopausal women.

Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018, logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between CVH and depression in postmenopausal women. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were employed to reveal potential nonlinear associations between the two.

After adjusting the covariates, the risk of depression was significantly reduced in the moderate and high CVH groups (OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.72; OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.07-0.90). A significant nonlinear association was also observed between CVH and depression (P-overall<0.001, P-nonlinear<0.001). Subgroup analysis results showed a significant negative association between high levels of CVH and depression among 18 to 59 years of age (OR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.55), non-Hispanic blacks (OR=0, 95% CI: 0.00-0.00), other races (OR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.04-0.55), below high school (OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.33), above high school (OR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.89), married/cohabiting (OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.25), overweight/obese (OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.02-0.21), and non-users of hormone replacement therapy (OR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.04-0.42).

A significant negative correlation exists between CVH levels and the risk of depression in postmenopausal women. This underscores the importance of CVH in the mental health of postmenopausal women. Healthcare providers should prioritize the potential psychological impact of CVH on postmenopausal women and incorporate it into comprehensive strategies for depression prevention and intervention.