Mental disorders across the adult life course and future coronary heart disease: evidence for general susceptibility
Catharine R Gale1, G David Batty, David P J Osborn
1Centre for Cognitive Ageing & Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK (C.R.G., G.D.B.); MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK (C.R.G.); Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK (G.D.B.); University College London Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, London, UK (D.P.J.O.); Child and Adolescent Public Health Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (P.T., F.R.); and Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine Stockholm County Council, Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden (P.T., F.R.).
Mental health disorders, including depression and substance use, significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This association is evident even when disorders are diagnosed in young adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research linked depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders to higher coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
- The association between a broader spectrum of mental health conditions and CHD risk remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a wide range of mental disorders and the risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1,107,524 Swedish men conscripted at age 18.3 years was followed for 22.6 years.
- Mental disorders were assessed via psychiatric interview and national hospital admission registers.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence was tracked through national registers.
Main Results:
- An elevated risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) was observed across various mental disorders.
- Diagnoses at conscription showed hazard ratios from 1.30 for depressive disorders to 1.90 for alcohol-related disorders.
- Hospital admission diagnoses yielded hazard ratios from 1.49 for schizophrenia to 2.82 for other substance use disorders.
Conclusions:
- A broad range of mental disorders are associated with an increased risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD).
- This heightened CHD risk is observable even when mental disorders are diagnosed at a young age.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...


