In the United States, someone dies from heart disease every 34 seconds, and nearly half of the population has some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD). What makes these statistics scary is the number of people who experience mental health issues, which is one out of four adults. A new report from Emory University shows a clear and strong link between mental health conditions and heart disease. The report found that having certain mental health disorders can increase your risk of developing heart disease by a significant amount—anywhere from 50% to 100%. For people who already have a heart condition, these disorders can make things much worse, raising their risk of poor outcomes by 60% to 170%. Which Mental Health Diseases Affect Heart Health? The report, led by Dr. Viola Vaccarino and published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, highlights the strong link between mental health conditions and an increased risk of developing heart disease. Specifically, it found that certain mental health disorders can increase the risk of developing heart disease by 50% to 100%. For individuals who already have a heart condition, these disorders can worsen outcomes by 60% to 170%. The report associated the following mental health conditions with these increased risks for developing CVD: Major depression: 72% increased riskPTSD: 57% increased riskBipolar disorder: 61% increased riskPanic disorder: 50% increased riskPhobic anxiety: 70% increased riskSchizophrenia: nearly 100% increased risk The study also found a two-way connection. Not only do mental health issues raise the risk for heart disease, but over 40% of people with heart disease also have a mental health condition. For example, a person with heart disease who also has major depression is more than twice as likely to die from their heart condition. How Is Our Mental And Heart Health Connected? The report explains how this link works inside the body. It shows that conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD can cause the body's natural stress response systems to act abnormally. These systems, called the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, control important body functions like heart rate and how we handle stress. When these systems don't work correctly, they can cause long-term problems that harm the heart. This includes things like ongoing inflammation, issues with metabolism, and high blood pressure. All of these issues can raise the risk of developing heart disease over time. What Are Some Mental Health Barriers That Affect Care? For people with mental health conditions, getting the right medical care for their physical and mental health can be very difficult. The report points to several key problems. Social and economic barriers It can be tough for people with mental health conditions to afford or even get to doctors' appointments. Communication issues Sometimes, people may not understand health information or have trouble explaining their symptoms, which can make it harder to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Stigma There is still a lot of shame around mental health, which can stop people from seeking help. Doctors may also have their own biases. The report also notes that people with mental health conditions are often left out of clinical trials, so we don't have as much research on them. Fragmented care The way our healthcare system is set up often treats the mind and body as separate. This makes it hard to address all of a person's health needs at once.