Mental Ills May Put Veterans at Higher Odds for Heart Trouble

Mental illness can impact your mental health, but does it also have an impact on your physical well-being? 

According to a recent study published on September 24th, veterans in particular are at a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, or heart disease when struggling with bipolar disorder, psychosis, anxiety, or depression. The study consisted of 1.6 million participants and found that, after things like age, cholesterol, blood pressure, and psychiatric medications, found that veterans diagnosed with mental illnesses, particularly psychosis, were significantly more likely to experience heart troubles than those who were not.

The researchers hope that these findings can help doctors better assess a patient’s risk of heart attack and prescribe the appropriate proactive treatment. 

These findings were published in HealthDay on September 24th.