Depression and Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Besides imparting enormous human suffering and enhancing premature mortality, they also inflict huge direct and indirect financial costs on the worldwide society. With the easier availability of affordable therapeutics globally, and the relatively paucity of newer innovations, modifiable risk factors are gaining greater importance in the management of this cardiovascular epidemic. Depression is a modifiable risk factor. It is consistently and strongly associated with a higher risk of CVD incidence and mortality. CVD on the other hand, often induces the development of depression. This paper reviews the effects of depression on cardiovascular diseases.