Psychoses and cardiovascular disease: The heart and mind of the matter

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors are markedly overrepresented in people suffering with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Adverse sequelae of this association include heightened mortality, worsened quality of life, and course of mental illness. Of further concern are that cardiovascular disease is underreported and neglected in this population as well as low rate of metabolic screening. The relationship of cardiovascular disease to psychosis is a complex one, with core symptoms of psychosis, poor diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors predisposing to cardiovascular risk. These factors act in combination with iatrogenically induced risk factors attrib..