Cardiovascular Considerations in Antidepressant Therapy: An Evidence-Based Review

There is a definite correlation between cardiovascular diseases and depressive disorders. Nevertheless, many aspects of this association have yet to be fully elucidated. Up to half of coronary artery disease patients are liable to suffer from some depressive symptoms, with approximately 20% receivi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Habibeh Yekehtaz, Mehdi Farokhnia, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2015-10-01
Series:Journal of Tehran University Heart Center
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jthc.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jthc/article/view/305
Description
Summary:There is a definite correlation between cardiovascular diseases and depressive disorders. Nevertheless, many aspects of this association have yet to be fully elucidated. Up to half of coronary artery disease patients are liable to suffer from some depressive symptoms, with approximately 20% receiving a diagnosis of major depressive disorders. Pharmacotherapy is a key factor in the management of major depression, not least in patients with chronic diseases who are likely to fail to show proper compliance and response to non-pharmacological interventions. Antidepressants are not deemed completely safe. Indeed, numerous side effects have been reported with the administration of antidepressants, among which cardiovascular adverse events are of paramount importance owing to their disabling and life-threatening nature. We aimed to re-examine some of the salient issues in antidepressant therapy vis-à-vis cardiovascular considerations, which should be taken into account when prescribing such medications.
ISSN:1735-8620
2008-2371