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Adults with ADHD are at higher risk of developing a range of cardiovascular diseases than others, according to a large observational study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Örebro University in Sweden. The researchers say the results published in the journal world of psychiatryemphasizes the need to monitor cardiovascular health in people with ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, with a global prevalence of about 2.5 percent in adults. It is often found in parallel with other psychological and physical conditions, some of which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). But whether ADHD is independently associated with general and specific cardiovascular disease has not received the same amount of attention.
In the current study, the researchers sought to unravel the relationship between ADHD and about 20 different cardiovascular diseases when separated from other known risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, smoking, sleep problems and mental disorders.
“We found that adults with ADHD were more likely to have at least one cardiovascular disease, compared to those without the disorder,” says study first author Lin Li, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. “When we accounted for other confirmed cardiovascular disease risk factors, the association weakened but remained significant, suggesting that ADHD is an independent risk factor for a wide range of cardiovascular disease.”
The findings are based on national registry data on more than five million Swedish adults, including about 37,000 people with ADHD. After an average of 11.8 years of follow-up, 38 percent of individuals with ADHD had at least one cardiovascular disease diagnosis, compared with 24 percent of those without ADHD.
The risks were high for all types of cardiovascular disease and especially for cardiac arrest, hemorrhagic stroke and peripheral vascular disease. The association was somewhat stronger in men than in women. Certain psychiatric comorbidities, particularly eating disorders and substance abuse, have significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with ADHD. Treatment with stimulants and other psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants and anxiety-reducing medications, did not materially affect the association between ADHD and cardiovascular disease.
The researchers note that due to the observational nature of the study, the results cannot establish a causal relationship.
The latest study says: “Clinicians need to carefully study joint psychiatric morbidity and lifestyle factors to help reduce CVD risk in individuals with ADHD, but we also need more research to explore plausible biological mechanisms, such as shared genetic components of ADHD. Movement, attention deficit and cardiovascular disease. The author is Henrik Larsson, Professor in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, and Research Associate at Karolinska Institutet.
The researchers note that the study has some limitations, including a lack of data on some lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, that could influence the association.
This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Brain Foundation, the Swedish Council for Health, Work Life and Well-being, and the Swedish Society for Medical Research.
Story source:
Materials Introduction of Karolinska Institute. Note: Content can be modified according to style and length.
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