A history of comorbid depression and anxiety predicts new onset of heart disease.

The objective of the current study was to examine whether a history of comorbid depression and anxiety predicted new onset of heart disease. Data from 6 surveys, spanning 15 years, of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a large prospective cohort study were used, including health status, lifestyle, and sociodemographic measures. Participants of the 1946-1951 cohort who did not self-report heart disease at surveys 1 (1996) and 2 (1998) were included in the study (n = 11,828). After adjusting for health status, lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, a history of comorbid depression and anxiety (odds ratio (OR) = 1.78; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.41-2.24) was associated with new onset of heart disease. A history of comorbid depression and anxiety is an important predictor of new onset of heart disease in mid-aged women. Due to the possible detrimental consequences of heart disease, psychological factors as well as established predictors should be considered when assessing a person's risk for heart disease.