To assess the characteristics of symptoms of depression and anxiety and the perception of illness and their possible links in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

In this secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study and baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, ACS patients accomplished the measures of signs of depression and anxiety, disease perception, and sociodemographic and clinical features. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis.

Overall, 510 patients (mean age of 61.0 ± 9.9 years and 67.8% male) were considered. The occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 66.3% and 56.5% respectively. Negative ailment perceptions were inferred as the aggregate count of illness perception (43.5 ± 9.1). The mean scores of each dimension were reported to range from 5.5 to 7.6. Negative feelings or tension (27.3%) and eating routines (25.5%) were the key reasons for ailment perceptions. Almost a quarter of patients was naïve of reasons concerning their ailment.

Each one-point rise in scores on illness perception concerning outcomes and emotional response was linked to a 22% higher likelihood of depressive symptoms following the modification for potential confounders. Each one-point rise in scores on illness perception linked with emotional response, personal control and illness comprehensibility was related to a 38% raised, 13% reduced and 9% lower probability of signs of anxiety, respectively.

Many patients with ACS suffer from anxiety and depression symptoms. These patients have a relatively negative illness perception due to the presence of these symptoms.