The relationship between baseline depression and health-related quality of life were examined in a cohort of patients after hospitalization due to acute myocardial infarction (N=196). Patients were assessed for presence of mood disturbance, anxiety, and quality of life at the time of hospitalization and again 4 months later. Baseline assessment was used to assign subjects to a depressed or a nondepressed group. Adjusting for preinfarction quality of life, in-hospital anxiety, and demographic variables, depression was prospectively and independently related to reduced global health at 4 months as well as reduced overall mental health-including vitality, psychological health, and social function-and increased role interference from psychological problems.