The Mental Health-Acute Coronary Syndrome Continuum: Bidirectional Pathophysiological Links and Clinical Implications

Mental health disorders (MHDs) and acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) demonstrate reciprocal pathophysiological connections with substantial prognostic implications. Despite robust evidence linking MHDs to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, the bidirectional relationship remains inadequately characterized in clinical practice, with limited integration of mental health screening into routine cardiac care pathways. The present narrative review comprehensively presents contemporary data on epidemiology, shared biological mechanisms, clinical consequences, and integrated management strategies across the MHD-ACS continuum. A synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, meta-analyses, observational cohorts, randomized trials, and international guideline documents was performed, focusing on depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and suicidality in relation to ACSs. MHDs are highly prevalent in ACS populations and independently predict increased mortality, major adverse cardiac events, and poorer functional recovery. Shared mechanisms include chronic low-grade inflammation, autonomic imbalance, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivation, platelet hyperreactivity, and endothelial dysfunction. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive behavioral therapy demonstrate the strongest evidence for treating depression in cardiac populations. Collaborative, stepped-care, and integrated cardiac rehabilitation models consistently improve psychological outcomes, with variable effects on cardiovascular endpoints. MHDs and ACSs form a self-reinforcing clinical continuum. Routine mental health screening and integrated cardio-psychiatric care represent essential components of secondary prevention and long-term outcome optimization.