The Effect of Lithium Treatment on the Cardiovascular System

Lithium is regarded as the gold standard treatment for bipolar disorders. Its use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration since the 1970s. Lithium levels are easily altered by interactions with other medications or pathophysiologic processes. Therefore, physicians should remain vigilant about its side effects. This review examines the existing evidence on the impact of lithium on the cardiovascular system at both supratherapeutic and therapeutic levels, including its effects on cardiac electrophysiology, coronary artery disease, heart dynamics, and metabolic profile. Lithium typically causes benign electrophysiologic changes, such as sinus bradycardia and T-wave changes, with rare instances of significant arrhythmias requiring pacemaker intervention or hemodialysis. Lithium may offer a protective effect against ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis, which could benefit bipolar disorder patients. The effects on heart dynamics and metabolic profile are not fully understood, with further research needed to clarify these impacts.