Review Article

Depression as a Mediator Between Spousal Bereavement and Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease: Appreciating and Managing the Adverse Health Consequences of Depression in an Elderly Surviving Spouse

Bereavement in the elderly is becoming a more frequent phenomenon as a result of the aging of the population. The death of an elderly spouse increases psychologic morbidity, particularly depressive symptoms, as well as mortality. Depression increases the risk of death independent of age or bereavement, and can thus exacerbate…