Coronary Artery Disease and Depression: Patients With More Depressive Symptoms Have Lower Cardiovascular Reactivity During Laboratory-Induced Mental Stress

Abstract

This study showed a negative relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress. In contrast to the mechanism proposed by earlier researchers, this study suggests that decreased cardiovascular reactivity occurs with increased depressive symptomology. The mechanism by which this effect occurs and its clinical significance are still unknown.