Health & Medicine
Heart Disease And Stroke Twice As Common In Individuals With Mental Health Problems
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Oct 27, 2014 09:16 AM EDT
Previous studies show that heart disease and stroke are twice as high among those with mental health issues.
Findings presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada marked several instances for why this is the case, examining emotional and physical instances that lead to increased risk of heart problems.
"This population is at high risk, and it's even greater for people with multiple mental health issues," said the study's lead author Dr. Katie Goldie, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, in astatement.
The study specifically examined certain mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and various anxiety disorders.
Among the use of certain antipsychotic, antidepressants, benzodiazepines and mood-stabilizing medications, researchers also analyzed how many of these medications make it difficult for the body to break down certain fats, sugars, and increase odds of obesity and high cholesterol, as well as risk of type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, various mental disorders also accompany an unhealthy lifestyle that increases the risk of substance abuse, poor diet and lack of exercise--all of which increase the risk of heart issues and weight gain, overall.
"The medications themselves account for a lot of risk in this group," Goldie added. "Or they may not even seek care because of the symptoms of their disorder. A separation between primary and mental health services can also challenge these patients' care. We need improved integration and collaboration."
As heart disease remains one the leading causes of death among both men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with one in four deaths cause by this health issue, researchers suggest that anyone dealing with the health problem or genetically susceptible to it promptly monitor the condition, by eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet.
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First Posted: Oct 27, 2014 09:16 AM EDT
Previous studies show that heart disease and stroke are twice as high among those with mental health issues.
Findings presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada marked several instances for why this is the case, examining emotional and physical instances that lead to increased risk of heart problems.
"This population is at high risk, and it's even greater for people with multiple mental health issues," said the study's lead author Dr. Katie Goldie, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, in astatement.
The study specifically examined certain mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and various anxiety disorders.
Among the use of certain antipsychotic, antidepressants, benzodiazepines and mood-stabilizing medications, researchers also analyzed how many of these medications make it difficult for the body to break down certain fats, sugars, and increase odds of obesity and high cholesterol, as well as risk of type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, various mental disorders also accompany an unhealthy lifestyle that increases the risk of substance abuse, poor diet and lack of exercise--all of which increase the risk of heart issues and weight gain, overall.
"The medications themselves account for a lot of risk in this group," Goldie added. "Or they may not even seek care because of the symptoms of their disorder. A separation between primary and mental health services can also challenge these patients' care. We need improved integration and collaboration."
As heart disease remains one the leading causes of death among both men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with one in four deaths cause by this health issue, researchers suggest that anyone dealing with the health problem or genetically susceptible to it promptly monitor the condition, by eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone