Depression--a novel risk factor of ischemic heart disease and predictor of coronary death
Pogosova, G.V.
Kardiologiia 42(4): 86-90
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9040 PMID: 12494175 Document Number: 541256
According to results of recent prospective studies depression is an independent risk factor of ischemic heart disease and should be considered together with such acknowledged risk factors as dyslipidemia, hypertension and smoking. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms of relationship between depression and ischemic heart disease are lowered heart rate variability and defects of physiological characteristics of platelets, depression also influences compliance to treatment and physicians recommendations. Depression negatively affects prognosis: mortality after myocardial infarction of patients with depression is 3-6 time higher than of those without depression. Incidence of depression is rather high and special investigation reveals its clinically significant symptoms in every fifth patient. Depression worsens clinical course of ischemic heart disease. Timely detection of depression is very important.