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People with bipolar disorder face a notably higher risk of heart disease. A large meta-analysis found that individuals with bipolar disorder were 66% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 67% more likely to experience cerebrovascular events compared to those without the condition. Experts say the findings call for integrated heart health screening in this population.
A new meta-analysis published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica confirms that bipolar disorder (BD) carries a serious cardiovascular toll. Analyzing 32 observational studies spanning multiple continents and millions of patients, researchers found that people with BD face significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cerebrovascular disease, and coronary artery disease compared to those without the condition.
The pooled data revealed that roughly 1 in 13 people with BD has CVD, and nearly 1 in 15 has coronary artery disease — rates that climb even higher when accounting for potentially underreported cases. Male sex and older mean age were flagged as key predictors of elevated cerebrovascular and coronary artery disease risk within this population.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Bipolar disorder is often managed in psychiatric settings where cardiovascular monitoring may be overlooked. These findings make a strong case for routine heart health screening and prevention strategies as a standard part of BD care.
