Cardiovascular Connection Between Blood Pressure And Mental Health


  • Mental health issues can interfere with the body's autonomic functioning, causing physiological issues in addition to hurting psychological well-being.
  • Reduced heart rate variation (HRV), which can signal a subpar stress response, has been discovered to be a prevalent occurrence in people with mental health disorders, according to earlier research.
  • An association between mental illness and widely variable blood pressure, which can result in cardiovascular disease, has been established by a recent systematic study.


According to a recent study, those who suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety may be more likely to develop cardiovascular issues.


The authors of this systematic review, which was written by researchers and was published in the journal BioMedical EngineeringTrusted Source, noted that mental health issues may have an effect on autonomic functioning, which may result in a wide range of blood pressure fluctuations.


One of the study's authors and a research fellow at the University of South Australia, Dr. Renly Lim, told Medical News Today, "We know that persons with mental health disorders have [an] increased risk of cardiovascular events and organ damage."


There has been little prior research on the link between blood pressure variability (BPV) and mental illness. Given that BPV has been linked to coronary disease, this is significant.


Additionally, persons with higher blood pressure variation are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. According to Dr. Lim's study, there is now a link between mental health issues and blood pressure, and heart rate.


The finding strengthens other studies that have shown a connection between physical and mental health.


Dysregulated Autonomic Function and Mental Health


The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a sophisticated cell network that controls uncontrollable physiological functions like maintaining body temperature, controlling breathing patterns, maintaining blood pressure, and controlling heart rate.


Cardiovascular disease risk is correlated with autonomic dysfunction.


Doctors measure heart rate variability (HRV), which is governed by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), to determine the interval between heartbeats. A good regulating system has been associated with having a heart rate that changes frequently.


In accordance with this, several studies have shown a link between decreased HRV and depression and anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.


What The Study Discovered


The researchers looked for papers examining BPV in people with mental illness who did not have hypertension in four electronic databases for their review. 12 studies that matched the criteria were discovered.


Of the 12 investigations, three examined short-term BPV (blood pressure changes that take place over a 24-hour period), two tested long-term BPV, and seven measured ultrashort term BPV (beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring over seconds to minutes) (fluctuations that occur over days, weeks, or even years).


The remaining studies examined BPV in individuals between the ages of 18 and 46, while the remaining five studies examined BPV in people 55 years of age and older.


In studies that assessed short-term BPV, individuals with depression or anxiety exhibited increased BPV. Studies assessing ultra-short-term BPV discovered a strong correlation between the two conditions.


The two studies that examined long-term BPV yielded conflicting findings, making it less certain whether there is a connection between mental health issues and long-term BPV.


Early therapy intervention for mental illness "may prevent disorders linked with autonomic dysregulation and lower the chance of unfavorable cardiac outcomes," write researchers from the University of South Australia and numerous universities in Malaysia.


Does Receiving Treatment Change Anything?


The comprehensive review, according to Dr. Richard Wright, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center, shows how mental illness, "at least in principle," increases patients' risk of developing heart problems that are often solely associated with atherosclerosis, hypertension, aging, etc.


The fundamental goal of this type of study, according to him, is to highlight the fact that these emotional problems have physical consequences.


Additional studies on how to address the link between mental health and cardiovascular health, according to Dr. Wright, would be beneficial for medical professionals.


He questioned, "Do you get better if your depression goes away if you have these problems with the autonomic nervous system and you're chronically depressed?"


He specifically stated that he would like to see research on whether medications, talk therapy, meditation, or other forms of mental health care reduce BPV fluctuation.


More integrated care is required.


The findings of the researchers' systematic review did not surprise Dr. Cristen Wathen, an assistant professor in the counseling program at Palo Alto University.


"Our bodies are releasing stress chemicals, such as cortisol and epinephrine when we are continually under chronic stress, which is characteristic of those who have been diagnosed with [anxiety and depression]," she explained to MNT.


"Our physical health will be affected if we're in a constant state of chronic stress [caused by worry and sadness],"


Dr. Wathen stated that she would have liked to see additional information about the racial and socioeconomic backgrounds of the study participants.


She said that a number of factors, including poverty, oppression, trauma—such as generational trauma—and access to healthcare, can further increase the likelihood that someone will experience chronic stress.


Dr. Lim stated that it's possible that neither the participants' race nor socioeconomic position was disclosed in the studies that made up the systematic review. She concurred that having such knowledge would be beneficial.


Given that race and socioeconomic class definitely have an impact on many health disorders, she said, "it is something worth examining."


But even without that knowledge, Dr. Wathen believed the study revealed a flaw in the American healthcare system.


Given the connection between our physical and mental health, she added, "it speaks to the need for greater integrated care and collaboration between mental health specialists and medical practitioners."


Dr. Lim thinks that the review would increase healthcare professionals' knowledge of the health issues that often accompany mental illness.


The key takeaway, in my opinion, is to focus more on the physical effects of mental illness. Therefore, it would be crucial to check for any anomalies in blood pressure and heart rate when a person is diagnosed with mental health issues.