Depression may play a role in women suffering a heart attack and clogged artery issues, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

A study claims women ages 55 and younger are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack if they're moderately or heavily depressed.

"Women in this age group are also more likely to have depression, so this may be one of the 'hidden' risk factors that can help explain why women die at a disproportionately higher rate than men after a heart attack," said Amit Shah, M.D., M.S.C.R., the study author and assistant professor of epidemiology at Emory University in Georgia.

The researchers investigated depression symptoms in 3,237 people with known or suspected heart disease. Of that group, 34 percent were women with the average age of 62.5 years who were to undergo an X-ray called a coronary angiography.

"Although the risks and benefits of routine screening for depression are still unclear, our study suggests that young women may benefit for special consideration," said Viola Vaccarino, M.D., Ph.D., senior author and Wilton Looney Chair of Epidemiology at Emory University. "Unfortunately, this group has largely been understudied before."

The team spent three years following up on the participants' health issues and found depression was associated with a 7 percent increase in heart disease and women who were 55 years old and younger were 2.17 times likely to suffer a heart attack, die of heart disease or require artery surgery.

"All people, and especially younger women, need to take depression very seriously," Shah said. "Depression itself is a reason to take action, but knowing that it is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and death should motivate people to seek help."

The study author said doctors play a role in identifying the link between depression and heart issues.

"Providers need to ask more questions. They need to be aware that young women are especially vulnerable to depression, and that depression may increase the risk to their heart," Shah said.

Six years ago the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending that depression be formally considered as a risk factor for increased heart disease risk.

The research group is now looking into whether females deal with more cardiovascular fluctuations than men related to short-term mental stress.