Guidelines for Cognitive Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease Complicated with Depression and Anxiety: December 2025 Update

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health burden, profoundly impacting both physical and mental well-being. Psychocardiology underscores the critical influence of psychological factors on the development, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular diseases. Patients with CAD frequently experience high rates of depression and anxiety, which are closely linked to mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia, cognitive impairment, and delirium. Given that cognitive decline and delirium severely compromise patient prognosis, targeted interventions and standardized care are essential. To address these needs, the Psychocardiology Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association Beijing Branch and the Psychocardiology Education Professional Committee of China Medical Education Association, together with over 50 experts from 40 organizations, have developed these association standards (No. T/CAS 812-2024). This December 2025 update provides a refined framework for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CAD complicated by depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. These guidelines aim to direct standardized clinical practice and improve the overall physical and psychological prognosis for this high-risk population.