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Psychocardiology in the elderly

  • geriatrics: at crossroads of medicine
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Summary

The population is rapidly aging worldwide and the burden of chronic disease follows along. Frequently, diseases go hand in hand and cardiovascular disease and mental health problems are no exception. Symptoms of depression in the elderly are often overlooked and untreated because they coincide with other problems encountered by the elderly. Older adults with depressive symptoms have poorer functioning compared to those with chronic medical conditions. The burden of cardiovascular disease also remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Bidirectional associations between depression and cardiovascular diseases are described with a focus on psychosocial factors affecting cardiac functioning and disease outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Brigita Novak Sarotar MD, PhD & Mitja Lainscak MD, PhD

  2. Departments of Cardiology and Research and Education, General Hospital Celje, Celje, Slovenia

    Mitja Lainscak MD, PhD

  3. Centre for Mental Health, University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Grabloviceva 44b, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Brigita Novak Sarotar MD, PhD

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Correspondence to Brigita Novak Sarotar MD, PhD.

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Novak Sarotar, B., Lainscak, M. Psychocardiology in the elderly. Wien Klin Wochenschr 128 (Suppl 7), 474–479 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-016-1139-x

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