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Cardiovascular Diseases among Suiciders: A Population-Based Study in Northern Finland Population

Arja Mainio1, Helinä Hakko, Pirkko Räsänen

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland.

Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology
|August 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a doubled risk of suicide. Depression is linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), necessitating psychiatric consultation for affected cardiac patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Depression is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
  • CVDs are associated with increased mortality in patients with depression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cardiovascular diseases and suicide risk.
  • To examine the prevalence of depression in individuals who died by suicide with a history of CVDs.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a comprehensive database of suicides in Northern Finland (n=2,283).
  • Included data on hospital-treated cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders.
  • Compared suicide risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and other CVDs to the general population.

Main Results:

  • 7.7% of individuals who died by suicide had a history of CAD; 11.6% had other CVDs.
  • Patients with hospital-treated CAD had a two-fold increased likelihood of suicide.
  • No elevated suicide risk was observed for individuals with other CVDs.
  • Males with CAD and females with CAD or any CVD were more frequently hospitalized for depression.

Conclusions:

  • Suicidality is associated with cardiovascular diseases, particularly CAD.
  • Psychiatric consultation is crucial for cardiac patients, especially those with depression or alcohol-related disorders.

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