[Depression and cardiovascular disease--is there an association?].
BACKGROUND
Depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This review presents data from recent cohort- and interventional studies, and possible pathogenetic mechanisms.


METHODS
The article is based on literature from the period 1998 - 2008 identified through a non-systematic search in Medline.


RESULTS
Epidemiological studies of patients (outside of hospitals) with clinical depression suggest they have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Possible mechanisms responsible for this increased cardiovascular risk are: an increased prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle factors, systemic inflammation, endocrine or autonomic dysfunction, increased platelet reactivity or endothelial dysfunction. Treatment with antidepressive drugs has not reduced the risk of cardiovascular events.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of the influence of depression on cardiovascular risk.
Einvik
Gunnar
G
Medisinsk divisjon, Akershus universitetssykehus, 1478 Lørenskog, og Institutt for sykehusmedisin, Universitetet i Oslo, Norway. geinvik@online.no
Dammen
Toril
T
Omland
Torbjørn
T
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents