A recent report published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe and led by Professor Viola Vaccarino at Emory University has revealed a significant link between mental health conditions and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk worldwide. The study highlights that disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can increase the risk of developing heart disease by nearly 50 to 100 percent.
Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading global cause of death, responsible for 17.9 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Mental health disorders, meanwhile, affect roughly 13.9% of the global population as of 2021. This overlap calls for an integrated healthcare approach combining behavioral, mental, and cardiovascular health.
Researchers analyzed a broad range of mental health conditions and their impact on heart disease outcomes. Schizophrenia was found to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease by almost 100%, followed by major depression (72%), phobic anxiety (70%), bipolar disorder (61%), PTSD (57%), and panic disorder (50%). Moreover, these conditions were associated with poorer prognosis, increased hospital readmissions, and significantly higher mortality among patients with existing heart conditions. For instance, major depression more than doubles the mortality rate for those already diagnosed with CVD.
The study further emphasized a bidirectional relationship, with over 40% of individuals diagnosed with cardiovascular disease also having a mental health condition. According to Professor Vaccarino, mental health conditions often create barriers to effective healthcare—including affordability,
Professor Vaccarino advocates for a multidisciplinary clinical team involving specialists, social workers, and nursing staff to provide collaborative care and resources. Such an approach is vital to closing the health disparity gap and upholding the rights of those living with mental health conditions to achieve better cardiovascular and overall health.
Reference: Viola Vaccarino, Eva Prescott, Amit J. Shah, J. Douglas Bremner, Paolo Raggi, Olivija Dobiliene, Chris P. Gale, Raffaele Bugiardini; Mental health disorders and their impact on cardiovascular health disparities; The Lancet Regional Health – Europe; Volume 56, 2025, 101373; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101373.
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