Coronary artery disease and experiences of losses

In literature, depression is associated with cardiovascular diseases. From clinical experience, we observed that the psychological category 'experience of loss' was associated with the onset and development of coronary heart disease. The experience of loss caused by self-reported significant event(s) leads to grief and the psychosocial factors which predispose the patient to diseases. To study the impact of the experience of loss by investigating the relationship between mourning and depression, in hospitalized patients with coronary heart disease. 44 inpatients (50% men and 50% women, aged 33 to 65 years), with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or angina, were evaluated. Two instruments were used: a semi-structured interview, for investigating the experience of loss and evaluating the state of grief; and the Beck Depression Inventory, for measuring the severity of depression. The results were expressed using the computer program Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11.0. 66% of the patients were in mourning, the relationship between mourning and depression was significant (p