Depression after myocardial infarction

ABSTRACT

Depression after myocardial infarction [MI] is a common and debilitating condition that could increase mortality and morbidity in these patients. Depression in MI patients is three times more prevalent than general population and women are more susceptible to this event. Psychosomatic condition of MI patients could worsen with co morbidity of depression and therefore poor quality of life, inappropriate self-care behaviors and increased risk of recurrence and poor outcome. In addition lack of social support could expose them to more severe disease. Diagnosis of depression in MI patients is difficult because there are many overlap in symptoms of depression and cardiovascular disease. Therefore routine depression screening and management in MI patients should become one of the mainstays of their care. Medical and non medical management of depression in MI patients may improve their outcome, although it seems that combination therapy is associated with better response