Association between anxiety - depression and coronary artery disease

During recent decades more and more research studies have noticed the association between psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) and coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study was to review the literature about the association between psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) and coronary artery disease as well as the common etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the two diseases. Method and material: The method οf this study included bibliography research from both the review and the research literature, mainly in the pubmed data base which referred to the association between psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) and coronary artery disease as well as the common etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the two diseases. Results: According to bibliography, etiopathogenecis of this association has not been fully understood. The main mechanisms that connect psychiatric disorders with coronary artery disease are: a) psychobiological including alterations to autonomous nervous system to hormone and immune system and b) behavioral mechanisms related to the compliance in treatment and change in the way of living. Moreover, it is widely accepted that depression and anxiety that experience patients with coronary artery disease predict a worse prognosis of the disease. Conclusions: Assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression that experience patients with coronary artery disease should be an integral part of the treatment.

Keywords: Anxiety, depression, coronary artery disease, etiopathogenetic mechanisms