Post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with coronary artery disease: screening and management implications.

OBJECTIVES

To review the literature on anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and to present an approach to diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

MEDLINE and PsychInfo searches of English-language articles were performed. Search terms included 'anxiety', 'post-traumatic stress disorder' and 'depression', with various cardiac-related subject headings.

RESULTS

Research indicates that anxiety, PTSD and depression occur frequently in patients with CAD, but these psychological problems are rarely identified or treated in the cardiology or primary care setting.

CONCLUSIONS

The present review offers practical recommendations on how to detect and assess anxiety, PTSD and depression in the cardiology or primary care setting. Treatment recommendations are provided, with a focus on pharmacotherapy for anxiety and depressive disorders in patients with CAD.