Mental health issues may increase your risk of a heart attack, especially PTSD and sleep disorders

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-01-15 03:00

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Canadian-led research has found people with mental disorders are at an increased risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which includes heart attacks and unstable angina (when the heart isn't getting enough oxygen-rich blood because of narrowed arteries). The team brought together and re-analysed the data from 25 previous studies, including a total of more than 22 million people. They found post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, and sleep disorders are all linked with an increased risk of ACS, with the link strongest for PTSD and sleep disorders. Meanwhile, links between bipolar and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and ACS were less robust, they say. The findings suggest problems with sleep are particularly bad for our heart health, the authors conclude.