Depression And Schizophrenia Double Heart Disease And Mortality Risks: Lancet Report

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.