New study links mental illness to increased risk of heart disease in young adults
According to a new study, individuals in their 20s and 30s who suffer from mental illnesses are at an increased risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. A study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology analyzed health data from more than 6.5 million individuals in Korea. It revealed that individuals under 40 who have a mental disorder are 58% more likely to experience a heart attack and 42% more likely to suffer from a stroke compared to those without a mental disorder.
The study included participants with various types of mental illnesses or disorders, including insomnia, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. The authors of the study controlled for factors such as age, sex, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, and income, but found that lifestyle behaviors did not explain the excess cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Katherine Ehrlich, an associate professor of behavioral and brain sciences at the University of Georgia, who was not involved in the research, noted that the findings are surprising because mental health and physical health links are usually observed in older age groups. Given that coronary arterial disease and heart attacks seldom occur before the age of 40, a study of this magnitude was required to investigate the correlation between mental health and these uncommon events in younger populations.
While the study does not establish causality between mental illness and cardiovascular disease, the findings indicate a risk factor to watch out for. The authors of the study suggest that lifestyle modification and preventive measures can help minimize risks. Lifestyle modification may include maintaining a healthy diet and incorporating physical activity. Study author Dr. Eue-Keun Choi, a professor of internal medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine in South Korea, recommends that people with mental health conditions receive regular checkups.
The study also emphasizes the importance of addressing loneliness. Many individuals with mental illness suffer from social isolation and loneliness, and for years researchers have been sounding the alarm that loneliness is detrimental to physical health.
Dr. Ehrlich suggests that enhancing social connectedness among young people may play a vital role in tackling the increasing prevalence of cardiometabolic illnesses during adulthood. The study has implications for mental health treatment as well. It highlights the need for managing psychological conditions and monitoring heart health in those at risk.
Dr. Chan Soon Park, a researcher at Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea, states that a significant proportion of individuals between the ages of 20 and 39, approximately one in eight, had a form of mental illness. Consequently, a considerable number of people may have an inclination toward experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
The study suggests that doctors and mental health professionals should be aware of the potential for cardiovascular risks among young adults with mental disorders. It also suggests that efforts to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and social connectedness should be targeted at young adults with mental health disorders.
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The study sheds light on the link between mental health and cardiovascular disease in young adults. It indicates that lifestyle factors alone do not explain the excess cardiovascular risk among those with mental disorders. The findings suggest that lifestyle modification, preventive measures, and regular checkups can help minimize risks. Efforts to address loneliness and promote social connectedness among young people with mental health disorders may also be critical to addressing the rising rates of cardiometabolic conditions in adulthood. The study has important implications for mental illness treatment and underscores the need for managing psychological conditions and monitoring heart health in those at risk.
