Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Racially and Ethnically Diverse People with Serious Mental Illness

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of premature mortality in individuals with serious mental illness (SMI).
• People with SMI often face higher risks for CVD due to lifestyle factors and treatment side effects.
• Addressing cardiovascular health is crucial for improving longevity and quality of life in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the prevalence and correlates of ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) using a modified American Heart Association (AHA) metric.
• To identify subgroups within the SMI population who may be at higher risk for poor cardiovascular health.
• To inform the development of targeted interventions to improve cardiovascular health in people with SMI.

Main Methods:

• Utilized baseline data from 314 participants with overweight/obesity and SMI in a healthy lifestyle intervention trial.
• Assessed five AHA ICVH metrics: smoking, body mass index, diet, physical activity, and blood pressure.
• Calculated a composite ICVH score and performed multivariate analysis to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• The mean ICVH score was 3.15 out of a possible 8.
• Higher ICVH scores were associated with a history of cancer diagnosis and better cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Lower ICVH scores were linked to female gender, racial/ethnic minority status, and the use of antipsychotic medications.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities in cardiovascular health exist among individuals with SMI.
• Female gender, minority status, and antipsychotic use are associated with poorer cardiovascular health in this population.
• Targeted screening and interventions are recommended for these at-risk subgroups to mitigate CVD risks.