Heart disease and risk of depression

Around 40 per cent of people experience mild forms of depression after a heart attack or bypass operation and 15 per cent experience major depressive disorder. Aside from the obvious problems, depression hinders recovery from the heart operations. The Heart Foundation has highlighted this, in their statement, Heart Disease Patients face higher depression risk.  They recommend routine screening for depression in all people diagnosed with heart disease.

The Heart Foundation refers to a recent article in the Medical Journal of Australia, Screening,referral and treatment for depression in patients with coronary heart disease by David M. Colquhoun et al.  The authors update the evidence on all levels of depression in patients with coronary heart disease, and provide guidance for health professionals on the screening and treatment of this condition.  
– Med J Aust 2013; 198 (9): 1-7.