Schizophrenia May Boost Heart Attack Risks

According to the conclusions of a new study published in the latest online issue of the journal Schizophrenia Research, it would appear that people suffering from this mental disorder are 56 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack than their peers.

Overall, the life expectancy of schizophrenia patients is 20 years shorter than that of a person who does not suffer from this condition.

Smoking, increased rates of diabetes, and metabolic problems are just some of the factors that contribute to this link, PsychCentral reports.

The new investigation was led by the chief of the Division of General and Health Systems Psychiatry at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Dr. Paul Kurdyak.

“The numbers tell us that people with schizophrenia – the ones who are at most risk to develop and subsequently die from heart attacks – are not receiving adequate care,” the expert argues.