DEPRESSION AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION - THE ROLE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN REHABILITATION

Patients who have had myocardial infarction often feel some anxiety and unhappiness, even though recovery seems to be going well. However, feeling depressed most of the day or being unable to take pleasure from favorite activities is not normal. The authors describe ways to identify patients who have major depression and methods of psychological intervention that can be applied without referral to a psychiatrist. They also discuss factors to consider before giving an antidepressant to a patient with cardiac disease.