Increased Risk Of Heart Disease Due To Mental Illness

This is interesting enough… mental illness and heart disease. Yes, they do go hand in hand.

Newcomer, who is the professor of psychiatry and psychology and of medicine and medical director of the Center for Clinical Studies at Washington University, said that people suffering from mental ailments including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and various forms of depression live 25 -30 years shorter than those with no such ailments. Though suicide remains one of the major causes of death among these individuals, but most of them die prematurely on account of cardiovascular diseases.

I can see it very clearly. It would be a vicious cycle indeed. Depression medications lead to weight gain, food cravings and feelings of lethargy. Feelings of lethargy lead to a sedentary and less than “healthy” lifestyle. And a round and around we go!

Severe mental illness can inhibit a person from working and thus having an income… more “cheap eats” and fast food. And then there is the little statistic that those that suffer from mental illness have more then a 50% chance at being a smoker. Hmmm… roll that altogether and you have a recipe for disaster, ie. heart disease. What are your thoughts on this?

And don’t forget that we have a mental health blog right here at b5media. Alicia is over there and has some great things to offer so if you are interested, go check her out at Mental health Notes.

via Med Headlines