Depression is highly prevalent in cardiac patients, with 20% to 40% of patients meeting
criteria for major depressive disorder or experiencing an elevation in depressive symptoms.
These depressive symptoms are often chronic and persistent, and they have been
associated with the development and progression of coronary artery disease, worse health-
related quality of life, poor physical functioning, recurrent cardiac events, and a 2-to 2.5-fold
increased risk of mortality. Impaired adherence to health behaviors and adverse�…