Impact of Depression and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

<p>Psychiatric and physical illnesses frequently coexist. Depression is associated clinically with heart disease in several ways, including risk of arrhythmia, alteration of the amount of blood flowing to the coronary arteries, increased risk of blood clots, and increased risk of cardiac arrest. Depression may even be an independent risk factor for mortality in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD), something that should concern those involved in the treatment of those patients.</p> <h4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</h4> <p>Nazmie F. Ibishi, MD, is a Psychiatrist with the University Clinical Center of Kosova, Clinic of Psychiatry, Prishtina, Kosova. Nebi R. Musliu, MD, is a Cardiologist with the University Clinical Center of Kosova, Clinic of Cardiology. Ahmet Kamberi, PhD; Spiro Qirko, PhD; Sabit Brokaj, PhD; and Mimoza Lezha, PhD, are with University Hospital Center of Tirana, Clinic of Cardiology, Albania. Bekim Haxhiu, MD, is with Primary Care Service, Prishtina, Kosova, John Masala, MD, is a Psychiatrist with Dubrava Prison Hospital, Kosova.</p> <p>Address correspondence to: Nazmie F. Ibishi, MD, University Clinical Center of Kosova-Clinic of Psychiatry, Prishtina, (Kosova); or e-mail <a href="mailto:nazmiemb3@hotmail.com">nazmiemb3@hotmail.com</a>.</p> <p>Dr. Ibishi, Dr. Musliu, Dr. Kamberi, Dr. Qirko, Dr. Brokaj, Dr. Lezha, Dr. Haxhiu, and Dr. Masala have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.</p> <h4>EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES</h4> <ol><li> Assess the impact of depression in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. </li> <li> Determine the relationship of depression and CVD, including biological and behavioral factors. </li> <li> Explain the signifi cance of early recognition of depression in CVD patients and the role of indirect self-destructive behavior as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in these patients. </li></ol>