Cardiovascular Disease and Depression

Depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are two leading causes of disability, impacting quality of life and increasing healthcare costs.There is a bidirectional relationship between them: depression is a risk factor for developing CVD and worsens prognosis in CVD patients.CVD in turn increases the incidence of depression and worsens its prognosis.Biological factors involved in both pathologies include autonomic dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and increased platelet reactivity.It is recommended to screen for depression during cardiology consultations, using tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2).Treatment should be comprehensive, combining antidepressants, psychotherapy, physical exercise, and mindfulness practices.Initially focused on exercise, cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) has evolved to encompass lifestyle modification, which has been shown to improve depression and overall well-being in CVD patients.