We undertook the analysis of cardiovascular risk factors and psycho-social factors in 230 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) based at a city polyclinic. Ninety (31.1%) patients suffered depression (19-28 CES-D scores). Patients with and without depression were significantly different in terms of clinical and functional manifestations of stable angina of effort, cardiovascular risk factors, gender; and psycho-social factors. CHD with depression was associated with a higher FC of angina of effort, risk of adverse outcome (Duke index), frequency of concomitant pathology, psycho-social stress, loss of working capacity and a lower income levels. These patients treated with selective antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for 6 months experienced a marked decrease in the degree of depression and manifestation of its symptoms, improvedpsycho- social protection and quality of life compared with untreated patients. These data illustrate pathogenetic and behavioural mechanisms underlying the relationship between CHD and depression.