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Heart Disease & Mental Health: New Study Reveals Strong Link
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A groundbreaking new study reveals a meaningful correlation between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and poorer mental health outcomes, even in individuals without a diagnosed heart condition. The research, conducted on a large Iranian cohort, underscores the increasingly recognized bidirectional relationship between physical and psychological wellbeing.
Researchers analyzed health data from 1,154 adults between the ages of 25 and 70, enrolled in the Shiraz Heart Study from 2016 to 2019. Participants’ 10-year ASCVD risk was estimated using established American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association equations, while mental health status was assessed using a validated 28-item general health questionnaire.
Increased Mental Health Risks with Existing Heart Disease
The study demonstrated a clear link between diagnosed ASCVD and a higher likelihood of experiencing mental health challenges. individuals with ASCVD showed substantially increased odds of several specific conditions:
- Somatic symptoms: (OR 1.138; 95% CI 1.069-1.212)
- Anxiety and insomnia: (OR 1.113; 95% CI 1.043-1.188)
- Severe depression: (OR 1.173; 95% CI 1.084-1.269)
Overall general health scores were also elevated in this group (OR 1.053; 95% CI 1.027-1.079), a key indicator of greater psychological distress.
Cardiovascular Risk Alone Impacts Mental Wellbeing
Perhaps more surprisingly, the research found that even individuals without existing ASCVD faced increased mental health risks if their estimated 10-year ASCVD risk score was 5% or higher. These individuals exhibited higher odds of experiencing somatic symptoms,anxiety and insomnia,social dysfunction,and severe depression. Elevated general health scores further suggested that simply having a higher risk of heart disease can negatively impact psychological wellbeing.
A Bidirectional Relationship
Cardiovascular disease has long been a leading cause of death worldwide. Tho, emerging research increasingly points to a complex, two-way street between heart health and mental health. “Peopel hospitalized for cardiovascular events were found to be substantially more likely to develop anxiety and depression within the year following their hospital stay,” the study authors noted.
Conversely, poor mental health has also been shown to predict future cardiovascular disease incidence in large-scale cohort studies, highlighting the profound interconnectedness of these two aspects of health.
The Call for Integrated Care
The findings underscore the urgent need for a more holistic approach to healthcare.Experts are now advocating for integrated care models that proactively screen for mental health conditions in individuals with high cardiovascular risk – and vice versa. This integrated approach, they believe, is crucial to improving patient outcomes across both physical and psychological dimensions.
The study, published in Scientific Reports in 2026, provides further evidence that addressing mental health is not simply a matter of wellbeing, but a critical component of preventative cardiovascular care.
Reference: Zibaeenezhad MJ et al. The effects of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and ten‑year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score on
