Coronary disease & ACS

Anxiety and depression and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in 14 countries across six WHO regions: the INTERASPIRE study

Eur J Prev CardiolPublished Cross-sectional study

Authors' conclusion

Increasing severity of depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with reduced potential for achieving guideline standards for CHD secondary prevention.

Study context

Population
Adults hospitalized in the preceding 6 to 24 months with incident or recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD), interviewed and examined 2020 to 2023 in 14 countries21.1% women
Participants
4,546 adults
Exposure
Symptoms of anxiety and/or depression vs no symptoms
Outcome
Suboptimal INTERASPIRE-Guideline Target Score (GTS; 10-point assessment of achieving secondary prevention lifestyle, risk factor and therapeutic targets)
Methodological details14 countries across six WHO regions
  • 14 countries across six WHO regions

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Suboptimal INTERASPIRE-GTS
Each group vs no symptomsAdjusted odds ratio (95% CI)P value
Depression
1.52(1.13–2.04)
P = 0.006
Possible comorbid anxiety and depression
1.57(1.09–2.26)
P = 0.015
Probable comorbid anxiety and depression
2.09(1.22–3.57)
P = 0.007

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Prevalence of anxiety and/or depression by sex; CHD lifestyle and behavioural risk factors by symptom severity

Prevalence of anxiety and/or depression greater in women than men
Prevalence of CHD lifestyle and behavioural risk factors increased with severity of anxiety and depression symptoms

Original publication

Anxiety and depression and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in 14 countries across six WHO regions: the INTERASPIRE study. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 13 November 2025. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf725

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