Scientists have discovered having low blood pressure could increase the risk of depression by nearly a third.

科学家们于近日发现，低血压会使患抑郁的风险增大近三分之一。

A study shows patients with lower than normal blood pressure may be 30 per cent more likely to become depressed¹ than those with healthy or even high readings.

据一项研究显示，相比于健康或更高水平的人来说，血压低于正常值的人，患抑郁的可能性要高出30%。

The surprising findings, from researchers at Trinity College, Dublin, suggest some cases of depression may be due to reduced blood flow to the brain caused by low blood pressure (or hypotension).

这一令人吃惊的发现是都柏林圣三一学院的研究人员们提出的，他们表示，某些抑郁病例可能是由低血压导致大脑供血不足所导致。

If further studies confirm the link, researchers believe it might be possible to treat depressed patients who also have hypotension by increasing their blood pressure.

如果进一步的研究证实了这一关联，研究人员认为可以通过提高血压的方式来治疗那些患有抑郁症和低血压的病人。

The rise in depression diagnoses has led to a massive uptake of drugs such as Prozac, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

抑郁症的爆发导致了许多新药物的出现，例如“百忧解”等选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂药物。

They are thought to improve mood by raising levels of the 'feel-good' chemical serotonin in the brain.

这些药物被认为能够提高大脑中使人“感觉良好”的化学物质血清素的水平，从而改善人的情绪。

But the discovery that low blood pressure could be linked to depression means patients might in future be able to avoid SSRIs and be given drugs or other strategies for low blood pressure.

但是这一低血压可能与抑郁症有关联的发现表明，抑郁症病患未来可能不再需要吃这些药物，而只要采用治疗低血压的药物和策略就好。

These might include drinking more water, eating more salt (because it increases blood pressure by retaining fluid in the body) or taking medicines — such as the steroid fludrocortisone — which also help the body retain fluid.

这些方法可能包括多喝水、多吃盐（因为盐可以通过保持体液来提高血压）、或者服用有助于保持体液的药物（诸如类固醇激素皮质醇等等）。

Blood pressure is measured by testing systolic pressure (the top reading, which measures the force generated by blood when the heart beats) and diastolic pressure (the force between beats).

血压是通过测试收缩压（即最高读数，测试的是心脏跳动时血液产生的压力）和舒张压（两次心跳间的压力）来测量的。

According to the charity Blood Pressure UK, a healthy reading is around 120/80. Those scoring 140/90 or more are at increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

据慈善机构“英国血压”表示，健康的血压应该在120/80左右，140/90以上的人群患心脏病和中风的风险更大。

But the latest study suggests low average readings may be bad news for mental health.

但是这项最新研究表明，低平均读数对人的心理健康来说可能是个坏消息。