Depression and coronary heart disease: apprehending the elusive black dog

Depression is the third leading cause of disease burden worldwide and is predicted to be the leading cause by 2030. Importantly, depression has been identified as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and both share significant physiological overlap. Identification of depression is complex. Consequently, accurate diagnosis of comorbid depression and CHD is challenging and requires a move toward an interdisciplinary engagement of knowledge transfer. A concerted effort is required utilising translational research to better identify depression in the CHD population. This approach is not meant to categorise patients, rather it is aimed at progressing toward an improved prognosis. Further, this approach should provide health professionals with the confidence to apply the term depression and define its meaning in a more precise and consistent manner.