People with depression have high concentrations of norepinephrine, a nervous system hormone that signals blood vessels to constrict and ratchets up blood pressure, researchers report. Treating these individuals with electroshock therapy lowers their norepinephrine concentrations—and their heart rate and blood pressure too, scientists find.
A fast pulse, vessel constriction, and high blood pressure are valuable tools in a person’s fight-or-flight response.
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