Professional paper
Management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with severe mental diseases
Suzana Maltar Zorić
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in general population. Severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia and depression, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially from CVD. Life expectancy of SMI patients is 15-30 years shorter in comparison with the general population and have 45r higher prevalence of key modifiable CVD risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking. There is a
paradox in the treatment of schizophrenia: with advancement in detection and management of its main symptoms, its mortality rate increases. The causes may lie in the side effects of medication,
but also in disparities in health care provision. In primary care there are additional differences in achieving adequate health care since doctors
feel uncomfortable treating SMI patients, have insifficient knowledge, skills and time to provide comprehensive care. Moreover, SMI patients often have a number of comorbidities and elevated CVD risk factors which family doctor needs to be aware of. It is necessary to be proactive in the detection and treatment of these risk factors. Although
psychopathology complicates the job, family doctor must not participate in discrimination of SMI patients.
Keywords
cardiovascular disease; schizophrenia and depression; cardiovascular risk factors, prevention; treatment
Hrčak ID:
149239
URI
Publication date:
9.12.2015.
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