My APPROACH to the depressed patient after a myocardial infarction

Depression following a myocardial infarction (MI) is known to increase the risk of complications, hospitalizations, and death. Therefore, screening for depression following an MI is strongly encouraged. All post-MI patients should be administered a validated depression questionnaire, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a two-step depression screening method, consisting of the PHQ-2 followed by the PHQ-9, if indicated. Identifying the severity of depressive symptoms is important for determining the optimal treatment plan.
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research