Cardiovascular disease deaths among working-age adults in the UK are continuing to rise, marking the reversal of a long-term decline in premature heart deaths.
In a stark discovery, new research from Emory University has now revealed that specific psychological conditions can elevate the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease by between 50 and 100 per cent.
The analysis featured in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, demonstrating that individuals with existing cardiac conditions face 60 to 170 per cent worse outcomes when they also suffer from mental health disorders.
It forms part of a broader initiative examining cardiovascular health inequalities across various populations.
Major depression more than doubles death rates among those already living with cardiac conditions
|GETTY
The report associated the following conditions and their corresponding risks of developing cardiovascular disease:
- Major depression, 72%
- PTSD, 57%
- Bipolar disorder, 61%
- Panic disorder, 50%
- Phobic anxiety, 70%
- Schizophrenia, nearly 100%
Major depression was shown to more than double death rates among those already living with cardiac conditions.
The research identified specific biological pathways connecting psychological conditions to cardiac problems.
Mental health disorders disrupt the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate and inflammatory responses.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, responsible for managing immune function and metabolism, also becomes dysregulated in these conditions.
This dysfunction leads to chronic inflammation, metabolic irregularities, elevated blood pressure and increased vascular resistance.
"More than 40 per cent of those with cardiovascular disease also have a mental health condition," noted Professor Viola Vaccarino, who spearheaded the analysis alongside colleagues Amit Shah and Douglas Bremner at Emory.
Healthcare access remains problematic for individuals managing both psychological and cardiac conditions.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Mental health disorders can cause chronic inflammation and metabolic irregularities
|GETTY
Financial constraints and limited availability create significant obstacles, while communication difficulties and reduced health literacy further complicate treatment pathways.
Medical professionals encounter challenges when treating patients with complex mental health needs, particularly given existing healthcare models that separate psychological and physical care.
Research participation also suffers, as mental health diagnoses frequently exclude individuals from cardiovascular clinical trials. Current risk assessment tools fail to incorporate psychological disorders when calculating heart disease probability.
"The tight connection between cardiovascular and psychological health warrants changes in the health care system that are more amenable to patients with comorbidities," stated Vaccarino.