Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

16.0K

Coronary Artery Calcification and Mortality Risk in Patients With Severe Mental Illness

Pirathiv Kugathasan1, Martin Berg Johansen2,3, Mikkel Bak Jensen1

  • 1Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark (P.K., M.B. Jensen, J.A., R.E.N.).

Circulation. Cardiovascular Imaging
|March 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) face higher mortality risks, independent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) severity. This study found no difference in CAC scores between SMI patients and the general population, highlighting non-cardiovascular factors in mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a primary cause of reduced life expectancy in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI).
  • Predictive models for cardiovascular outcomes in SMI patients are underdeveloped.
  • Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a key indicator of cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare CAC severity in patients with SMI versus the general population.
  • To evaluate the impact of CAC severity on mortality rates in SMI patients.
  • To identify factors contributing to increased mortality in SMI.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of cardiac computed tomography calcium scoring data from the Western Denmark Heart Registry (2008-2016).
  • Identification of 564 patients with SMI (ICD-10: F20, F30, F31) within a cohort of 48,757 individuals.
  • Comparison of CAC scores and all-cause mortality between SMI patients and a matched general population comparison group, adjusted for age, sex, and calendar period.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in CAC scores was observed between patients with SMI and the comparison group.
  • SMI patients with CAC >100 showed a 3.16-fold increased mortality risk (HR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.41-7.06).
  • SMI patients with CAC <100 also exhibited increased mortality (HR, 3.95; 95% CI, 2.36-6.62) compared to the reference group with CAC <100.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with SMI experience elevated cardiovascular risks and higher mortality rates compared to the general population.
  • Mortality in SMI patients increased irrespective of CAC severity, suggesting multifactorial causes.
  • A substantial proportion of deaths in SMI patients were non-cardiovascular, indicating other contributing factors beyond coronary artery disease.

Keywords:
bipolar disordercalciumcardiovascular diseasecomputed tomography angiographycoronary artery diseasemorbiditymortalityschizophrenia

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cardiovascular Imaging - Introducing the Spatially Weighted Calcium Score for Early Disease Detection06:57

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cardiovascular Imaging - Introducing the Spatially Weighted Calcium Score for Early Disease Detection

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.4K
Direct Re-implantation of Left Coronary Artery into the Aorta in Adults with Anomalous Origin of Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery ALCAPA13:10

Direct Re-implantation of Left Coronary Artery into the Aorta in Adults with Anomalous Origin of Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery ALCAPA

Published on: April 24, 2017

19.2K

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
1.0K
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
415
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
246
Classification of Illness01:17

Classification of Illness

The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
8.7K
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
5.2K
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
359