Cardiovascular risk factors for people with mental illness

Objective: The objective of this study was to document the prevalence of ri sk factors for cardiovascular disease among people with chronic mental illn ess. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 234 outpatients attending a community mental health clinic in the North-western Health Care Network in Melbourne, Australia. Prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, body m ass index, hypertension, salt intake, exercise and history of hypercholeste rolemia was assessed. Results: Compared with a community sample, the mentally ill had a higher pr evalence of smoking, overweight and obesity, lack of moderate exercise, har mful levels of alcohol consumption and salt intake. No differences were fou nd on hypertension. Men, but not women, with mental illness were less likel y to undertake cholesterol screening. Conclusions: Psychiatric outpatients have a high prevalence of cardiovascul ar risk factors which may account for the higher rate of cardiovascular mor tality among the mentally ill. Further research is needed to trial and eval uate interventions to effectively modify risk factors in this vulnerable po pulation.