Lifestyles and cardiovascular risk in individuals with functional psychoses

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine known determinants of cardiovascular risk in Italian patients with functional psychoses.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to examine cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle behaviors of 123 individuals with functional psychosis and compare clinically relevant data with those of the general Italian population.

Findings: A significant proportion of patients manifested frank hypertension (6.9%), hypercholesterolemia (20.5%), diabetes (6.5%), or a body mass index of more than 30 (20.3%). Many also smoked (63.0%) or ingested alcohol every day (26.0%), did not eat fruits or vegetables (8.0%), or did not exercise on a daily basis (34.0%).

Practice implications: Patients with psychosis manifest significant rates of potentially reversible risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Mental health nurses should advocate for and implement well-resourced counseling programs to reduce the prevalence of smoking and metabolic syndrome in mental health populations.