Heart disease risk higher for those with mental disorders

People with mental health disorders are significantly more likely to have heart disease or stroke, a new Canadian study has warned.
"This population is at high risk, and it's even greater for people with multiple mental health issues," said Dr Katie Goldie, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health here.
Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Goldie explored the associations between cardiovascular risk and disease, mental health disorders and the use of psychiatric medication.
The study found that people who have had a mental health disorder at any point in their lives were twice as likely to have had heart disease or have experienced a stroke.

Those who haven't developed heart disease or had a stroke are more likely to be at a high long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease, when compared to the general population.
People who used psychiatric medications were twice as likely to have heart disease and three times as likely to have had a stroke compared to those not taking these medications.

The study included people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, major depressive and anxiety disorders. Among the psychiatric drugs examined were antipsychotic, antidepressant, benzodiazepine and mood-stabilising medications.
There are three main factors behind the elevated risk. First, people with mental health disorders often exhibit behavioural risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity.

For instance, Goldie said 40 to 90 per cent of people with mental illness use tobacco, compared to 20 per cent of the general Canadian population, 'medicalxpress.Com' reported.
Psychiatric medications can induce weight gain and impair the breakdown of fats and sugars by the body. This can lead to obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.
"The medications themselves account for a lot of risk in this group," she said.
A third issue is access to health care. Patients with mental health disorders may have difficulty communicating their health needs.
"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," Goldie said.

The study was presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Vancouver.