Responses of Myocardial Ischemia to Escitalopram Treatment

Depression is commonly seen in patients with cardiovascular disorders. In recent studies it has been shown that mild to moderate depression symptoms were associated with increased likelihood of mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI), which is a risk factor of poor cardiac outcome. In this project, the investigators aim to assess the treatment of mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia in ischemic heart disease patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. This study is a six-week double-blind placebo controlled study to examine the effects of escitalopram on mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia. This study will look to show that patients with ischemic heart disease who are treated with escitalopram will exhibit a significant improvement of MSIMI at the end of week 6 compared to patients receiving placebo.