Depression and cardiovascular diseases represent a major public health problem worldwide. Recent studies have shown that depression is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in healthy people and also increases morbidity and mortality in depressed patients with CAD. Others studies have shown that selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) constitute a safe and effective treatment for depressed patients with heart disease. There are also data suggesting that treating depression with SSRIs has a protective role in myocardial infarction and may improve outcomes, including mortality.