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The Relationship between Smoking and Depression Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome

  • Smoking (Hilary A. Tindle, Section Editor)
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Abstract

The purpose of the current article is to review research on the relationship between smoking cessation and depressed mood post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS; myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Emerging evidence regarding the effect of anhedonia—a specific subcomponent of mood disturbance characterized by reduced pleasure—on post-ACS outcomes is also discussed. There is strong evidence that depression prospectively predicts post-ACS relapse to smoking. Weaker evidence suggests that smoking at the time of ACS is related to post-ACS depression. Bupropion is a particularly promising treatment for this population because of its smoking cessation and anti-depressant effects. Future research should focus on the relative risk of using nicotine replacement therapies post-ACS, the efficacy of bupropion for smoking cessation and depression reduction in post-ACS patients, the role of anhedonia in post-ACS smoking cessation, and the development and testing of integrated behavioral treatments (smoking cessation plus interventions targeting mood management) for ACS patients.

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Acknowledgment

The preparation of this paper was supported by K23-HL107391 to A. Busch, R01 CA137616 to B. Borrelli, and K08-DA025041 and R01-DA026831 to A. Leventhal.

Disclosure

A.M. Busch has received a grant (paid to his institution) from the National Institutes of Health. B. Borelli reports no conflict of interest relevant to this article. A.M. Leventhal has received a grant (paid to his institution) from the National Institutes of Health.

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Correspondence to Andrew M. Busch.

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Busch, A.M., Borrelli, B. & Leventhal, A.M. The Relationship between Smoking and Depression Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 5, 510–518 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-011-0198-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-011-0198-9

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