Why the study?
People living with severe mental illness face increased risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease, but associated risk factors are largely modifiable.
Do pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions reduce cardiovascular risk in people with severe mental illness?
Do pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions reduce cardiovascular risk in people with severe mental illness?
Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions can effectively reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with severe mental illness, and general population guidelines should be followed.
Background: People living with psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorders and other delusional disorders, collectively termed ‘severe mental illness’ (SMI), are at increased risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk factors associated with this reduced life expectancy are largely modifiable. Objective: The aim of this paper is to provide summative evidence of some of the known effective interventions that may reduce cardiovascular risk in people living with SMI. Discussion: Pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are available and can be used in primary care for CVD risk reduction in people with SMI. Trials of pharmacological interventions for weight gain and smoking have shown good effects. Combined pharmacological and lifestyle interventions could support management of other risk factors, but tailored support and engagement strategies are needed. Specific guidance for CVD risk reduction in people with SMI is absent, but evidence indicates that following guidelines for the general population is warranted.
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Palmer et al. (2018) studied this question.
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