Finally, we estimated genetic correlations between the risk factors and the latent MDD-ASCVD factor (Fig. 5b) and found that the latent MDD-ASCVD factor was substantially more genetically correlated with blood pressure traits, C-reactive protein levels, and metabolic factors than MDD only, suggesting that these factors characterize the genetic liability to MDD-ASCVD rather than to MDD alone. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and major depressive disorder.