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Numerous studies have documented greater morbidity and mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease plus depression than in patients without depression. Various mechanisms have been proposed for the effects of depression on these risks, including biologic mechanisms (effects on platelet aggregation, heart rate variability, and proinflammatory cytokines) and behavioral ones (effects on health habits and adherence to recommended treatments). Still, few studies have systematically investigated these proposed mechanisms.
This prospective cohort study involved 492 patients who were enrolled within 7 days of an acute coronary event and were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory in the hospital and 3 months after discharge. Participants …