Depression and Heart Disease

Recently, there has been a growing awareness of the multiple interrelationships between depression and various physical diseases. Patients with psychiatric problems, particularly depression, may be more susceptible to cardiovascular disorders. Depression and Heart Disease synthesizes current evidence, including some previously unpublished data, in a concise, easy-to-read format. The authors succinctly describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis (including cytokines and genetics), and risk factors of the comorbidity between depression and heart disease. The book also reviews the best pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches for people with this comorbidity.

Alexander Glassman is an authority on depression and antidepressant drugs, who has raised the standard of care for depressed patients. His work has clarified the safe treatment of depressed patients with cardiovascular disease:  more recently, he has been involved in studies of the relationship between depression and cardiovascular mortality.  Dr. Glassman was the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association's Foundation Fund Prize for lifetime accomplishment in Research, the Established Investigator's Award of the National Association for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders, the New York State Research Award and the 2007-2008 Anna-Monika Foundation Prize for reseach in depression. He is the author of over 300 scientific publications and serves on the editorial boards of Heart Disease and the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, a life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the scientific advisory board of the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), and a member of the scientific advisory panel of the American Legacy Panel.

Mario Maj is Professor of Psychiatry and Chairman at the University of Naples, Italy. He is President of the World Psychiatric Association and former President of the European Psychiatric Association. He is the Italian psychiatrist with the highest number of citations in indexed journals in the period 1981-2008.

Norman Sartorius is President of the International Association for the Promotion of Mental Health Programmes.  Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and of the American College of Psychiatry; Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health.  Member of WPA Council.

CHAPTER 1 Epidemiology of the comorbidity between depression and heart disease

Wei Jiang, Glen L. Xiong

CHAPTER 2 The association between depression and heart disease: the role of biological mechanisms

Palmiero Monteleone

CHAPTER 3 The association between depression and heart disease: the role of genetic factors

Eco de Geus

CHAPTER 4 Behavioral and psychological mechanisms linking depression and heart disease

Roy C. Ziegelstein, Mary Kate Elfrey

CHAPTER 5 Depression and cardiovascular disease: the safety of antidepressant drugs and the ability to improve mood and reduce medical morbidity

Alexander H. Glassman, J. Thomas Bigger, Jr

CHAPTER 6 Psychotherapies for depression in people with heart disease

Robert M. Carney, Kenneth E. Freedland