“I feel it in My Heart.” Depression and Anxiety in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression worldwide are societally and economically costly. The broader literature now recognises depression as a key risk factor in CVD populations, leading to the implementation of screening recommendations in this high-risk cohort. However, these guidelines did not include anxiety. A growing body of literature is now acknowledging an important role for anxiety as a potential CVD modifiable risk factor. Here we briefly summarise the supporting evidence in regards to the research on depression, anxiety and CVD and we discuss the forgotten notion of comorbidity and its potential influence on CVD risk and depression treatment outcomes. Lastly, we discuss the potential for psychiatric theory pertaining to anxiety and depression comorbidity to inform screening procedures in CVD patients. Lastly, we discuss the clinical implications in regards to the proposed method with specific recommendations for future research.