Almost half of all Americans live with some form of heart disease, and about one in four lives with a mental health condition.
A new report from Emory University has found that these two major health issues are more connected than people might think. According to the study, having certain mental health conditions can raise the risk of getting heart disease by 50% to 100%.
And for those who already have heart problems, mental health conditions can increase the risk of severe complications by 60% to 170%.
Lead researcher Viola Vaccarino explained that people with mental health issues are more likely to develop heart problems, and vice versa. She and her team wanted to highlight the health differences faced by people with mental illness and how they relate to heart health.
The study found that depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and PTSD are linked to a higher risk of heart disease. Schizophrenia, though less common, had the strongest connection.
The reasons behind this connection include physical and lifestyle factors. Mental illness can cause more inflammation in the body, which can damage the heart. It can also over-activate the nervous system, which puts extra stress on the heart.
People living with mental illness may also face social and lifestyle challenges that raise their risk, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, or trouble accessing medical care.
Vaccarino emphasized the need for better healthcare and policy changes to help people with both mental and heart conditions get the care they need. This includes recognizing the strong connection between the mind and the body.
JoEllen Schimmels, a psychiatric nurse and Emory professor, said we should think of mental health as a ‘mind-body disorder,’ not just a brain issue. She explained that mental illness can seriously affect physical health—but there are ways to reduce the risk.
One key step is improving sleep. Poor sleep is common in mental health conditions and can hurt the heart. Schimmels recommends keeping a regular sleep schedule and limiting naps to less than 30 minutes. If you can’t sleep, get out of bed and do something boring until you feel sleepy again.
Diet and exercise also help. Eating more plant-based or Mediterranean-style meals and being active can reduce inflammation in the body. But Schimmels noted that some people don’t have easy access to healthy food or safe places to exercise, and that needs to be taken into account.
Mindfulness is another helpful tool. Schimmels encourages people to stay present, use grounding techniques, and practice calming breathing exercises. She explained that constantly thinking about the past or worrying about the future can overwhelm both the brain and the body.
In summary, this new research shows a strong connection between mental health and heart disease. Taking care of your mental health can also protect your heart. Doctors and health systems need to do more to support people living with both types of conditions.
And on a personal level, simple changes—like better sleep, healthy food, physical activity, and mindfulness—can go a long way.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing Zinc and vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about more coffee linked to heart rhythm disease, and results showing Zinc and vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
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