A recent study suggested that untreated depression in patients after a heart attack may increase chances of heart problems down the line. Right at its heels, another study suggests that Citalopram (Celexa) is useful for depression in patients with heart disease.

• These two studies together can prompt us to start many patients on Celexa after a heart attack
• It is important that anti-depressants are started only after a proper diagnosis of depression.
• We should not ignore the importance of exercise and rehabilitation after a heart attack.
• We should take potential side effects of Celexa including weight gain, loss of libido, drowsiness etc. into account.
• I hope that anti-depressants do not just get added to heart attack victims’ medications without a good reason.
• The question is: is this beneficial effect unique to Citalopram or will all the medicines belonging to the class called SSRIs do as good a job?