title: Depression and coronary artery disease: the association, mechanisms, and therapeutic implications.
abstract: We performed a comprehensive review of the literature to determine whether or not a relationship between depression and coronary artery disease exists. Our literature search supports the following: Depression and coronary artery disease have a bidirectional relationship, i.e., coronary artery disease can cause depression and depression is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and its complications; depression may contribute to sudden cardiac death and increase all causes of cardiac mortality; and depression contributes to unhealthy lifestyle and poor adherence to treatment. We review various pathophysiological links between depression and coronary artery disease and screening for depression in at-risk patients for coronary artery disease. We also discuss pharmacological treatments, their implications, and various behavioral treatments.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Khawaja is from Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota/VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (currently doing a fellowship in sleep medicine at the Center for Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota).
authors.forename: Imran Shuja
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Khawaja
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Westermeyer
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gajwani
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Feinstein