Increased Risk Of Heart Disease Due To Mental Illness
This is interesting enough… mental illness and heart disease. Yes, they do go hand in hand.
Newcomer, who is the professor of psychiatry and psychology and of medicine and medical director of the Center for Clinical Studies at Washington University, said that people suffering from mental ailments including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and various forms of depression live 25 -30 years shorter than those with no such ailments. Though suicide remains one of the major causes of death among these individuals, but most of them die prematurely on account of cardiovascular diseases.
I can see it very clearly. It would be a vicious cycle indeed. Depression medications lead to weight gain, food cravings and feelings of lethargy. Feelings of lethargy lead to a sedentary and less than “healthy” lifestyle. And a round and around we go!
Severe mental illness can inhibit a person from working and thus having an income… more “cheap eats” and fast food. And then there is the little statistic that those that suffer from mental illness have more then a 50% chance at being a smoker. Hmmm… roll that altogether and you have a recipe for disaster, ie. heart disease. What are your thoughts on this?
And don’t forget that we have a mental health blog right here at b5media. Alicia is over there and has some great things to offer so if you are interested, go check her out at Mental health Notes.
via Med Headlines
Tags: bipolar_disorder, cardiovascular_diseases, causes_of_death, depression_medications, fast_food, food_cravings, forms_of_depression, healthy_lifestyle, heart_disease, mental_ailments, mental_illness, statistic, weight_gain
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POSTED IN: Hearty Blogging, Hearty Healthcare, Hearty Research
4 opinions for Increased Risk Of Heart Disease Due To Mental Illness
Chuck McKay
Oct 21, 2007 at 6:39 pm
I would never have suspected there is a link, but your comments ring true. Thanks for posting these thoughts.
Dr. Kirk Laman
Oct 26, 2007 at 4:06 am
Hi: I’m a cardiologist and it is very common for emotional issues to cause heart disease. Depression is now considered a risk factor for heart disease.
I try to have my patients work on all aspects of their heart disease: physical, emotional, psychological, and even spiritual.
Kirk
Grace Reynolds
Apr 6, 2008 at 7:04 am
This study shows the national heart foundations stance on CHD and mental health. Depression is about as significant risk factor as smoking
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/178_06_170303/bun10421_fm.html#CACCJBAD
Theme Day all about mental illness- Heart disease and depression/anxiety: it is directly related
May 13, 2008 at 2:09 pm
[…] Increased risk of heart disease due to depression is right on the mark and is a vicious cycle indeed. Depression medications lead to weight gain, food cravings and feelings of lethargy. Feelings of lethargy lead to a sedentary and less than “healthy” lifestyle. And a round and around we go! […]
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