Cardiovascular disease in patients with schizophrenia. Issue 2 (6th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kritharides, Leonard; Chow, Vincent; Lambert, Tim JR
• Is Part Of: Medical journal of Australia. Volume 206:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2017-02-06
• Subjects: Cardiovascular diseases -- Endocrine system diseases -- Mental disorders -- Pharmaceutical preparations; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Médecine -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodical; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610
• DOI: 10.5694/mja16.00650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-729X

Abstract

Summary: Patients with schizophrenia die on average 25 years earlier than the general population, and this gap appears to be increasing. Most of the excess mortality is due to premature cardiovascular deaths rather than suicide. Many psychotropic agents are orexigenic and can increase weight and promote dyslipidaemia. Traditional cardiac risk factors are undertreated among patients with schizophrenia, and they are less likely to receive cardiac revascularisation than those without a mental illness. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication effective for treatment of refractory schizophrenia, but is associated with the risk of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Established protocols in Australia screen for myocarditis for patients who are initiating clozapine therapy and for long term monitoring for cardiomyopathy with echocardiography. Coordinated care between tertiary providers, general practitioners and primary health care professionals should monitor the physical health of people with psychosis or schizophrenia at least annually and treatment should be offered accordingly.