Depression is one of several preventable causes of disability worldwide, with coronary heart disease (CHD) being the largest cause of disability. Depression has been confirmed as a risk factor for CHD.

Few studies tried to find an interrelation between depression and a risk of cardiovascular mortality according to systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) chart.

The aim of study was to examine the correlation of depression with the risk of cardiovascular mortality (SCORE).

Study was conducted in 2015 within the framework of National Research Programme BIOMEDICINE. All patients aged 18 and older at 24 primary care facilities were interviewed with a sociodemographic questionnaire supplemented by measurements of blood pressure and total cholesterol. Within 2 weeks after the visit psychiatrist administered the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) by telephone. SCORE was assessed using high risk chart.

Totally 920 patients age 40–69 were included in the data analysis. According to the MINI 9.3%(95%CI 7.5–11.5%) of 40–69 years old patients had current depression. Current depression was more common among women than men, 10.4% and 6.8%, respectively. The prevalence of current depression was highest among patients with SCORE 3–4%. Multivariate logistic regression did not suggest statistically significant odds ratio for having depression based on SCORE.

Only one of the measurements used for SCORE (smoking status) was significant predictor for having current depression, while systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol were not significant predictors for depression. As pharmacotherapies for reducing blood pressure and cholesterol are widely used by patients further research should include use of these medicines as potential mediators.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.