Freak-Poli R, et al. - This population-based study was performed to assess whether depressive symptoms preceding first incident cardiovascular disease (pre-CVD) influenced survival. The relation between higher depressive symptoms measured before first incident CVD and mortality were not independent of health status, during 15 years follow-up in community-dwelling older adults. On the other hand, higher depressive symptoms measured after CVD was correlated with increased mortality. It did not appear to be independent of pre-CVD depressive symptoms. Due to the associations observed between positive affect and mortality, the positive effect could be the reason for a relationship between depressive symptoms and mortality.