[Psychiatric disorders following myocardial infarction]

The number of patients who survive acute myocardial infarction has increased during recent decades. In addition, demographic development results in a rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Based on these facts, also the significance of psychiatric disorders is growing that may occur after myocardial infarction, such as depression, posttraumatic stress and anxiety disorders.

Physicians are faced with the challenge to identify these clinical entities, that show a syndromal overlap with somatic complaints after myocardial infarction. After differentiation prompt start of adequate psychiatric-psychotherapeutic interventions is of relevance, not only regarding the patient's quality of life, but also in terms of cardiovascular prognosis. Indeed, depressive and anxiety disorders are known to be associated with a poor compliance as for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, some studies suggest depression to be an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease.

Consequently, early recognition and treatment, most often primarily in the hands of internists and cardiologists, are of enormous importance for the course and prognosis of the psychiatric disorder but also of cardiovascular disease.