Background
Severe mental illness (SMI) patients are at a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), a form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1). Aetiology of this is linked to both genetic and lifestyle influences, however SMI patients are also five times more likely than the general public to develop risk factors of CVD; such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and smoking (2). This may be because antipsychotic medication, for example, can cause weight gain and increase the risk of CHD (2).
Despite this, many SMI patients have limited opportunities to screen for such risks (2). It has been suggested that new procedures should be in place to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors as part of psychiatric patient care; and responsibility should be shared with cardiologists, diabetologists, and other specialists (2). Guidelines to screen and monitor for CVD in SMI patients have been developed both nationally and internationally, however are not being regularly applied (2).
Method …show more content…
The interviews explored views on health care, appropriate environments for screening and management, issues with different care models, training requirements and the willingness of receiving or delivering such care (1). They also discussed interventions regarding a healthy lifestyle, e.g. smoking cessation, diet and exercise advice, etc. (1). The idea of a physical health nurse was also introduced, who would work with primary care teams and community mental health teams (CMHTs) to ensure regular screening for SMI patients
Severe mental illness (SMI) patients are at a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), a form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1). Aetiology of this is linked to both genetic and lifestyle influences, however SMI patients are also five times more likely than the general public to develop risk factors of CVD; such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and smoking (2). This may be because antipsychotic medication, for example, can cause weight gain and increase the risk of CHD (2).
Despite this, many SMI patients have limited opportunities to screen for such risks (2). It has been suggested that new procedures should be in place to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors as part of psychiatric patient care; and responsibility should be shared with cardiologists, diabetologists, and other specialists (2). Guidelines to screen and monitor for CVD in SMI patients have been developed both nationally and internationally, however are not being regularly applied (2).
Method …show more content…
The interviews explored views on health care, appropriate environments for screening and management, issues with different care models, training requirements and the willingness of receiving or delivering such care (1). They also discussed interventions regarding a healthy lifestyle, e.g. smoking cessation, diet and exercise advice, etc. (1). The idea of a physical health nurse was also introduced, who would work with primary care teams and community mental health teams (CMHTs) to ensure regular screening for SMI patients