The relationship between cardiovascular health and common mental disorders among adults aged ≤50 years: A systematic review of observational studies
1
Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
3
Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
4
Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
5
Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
6
Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
7
Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Wits Health Consortium, Johannesburg, South Africa
8
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
9
SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science -PRICELESS SA, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Depression and anxiety are common among younger adults and contribute to adverse physical and social outcomes. Evidence suggests a potential bidirectional relationship between common mental disorders (CMDs) and cardiovascular health (CVH), yet this remains understudied. This review examined the relationship between CVH and CMDs in individuals aged 15–50 years.
METHODS:
MEDLINE (PubMed), APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL (EBSCO) were searched from inception to 4 November 2024. Observational studies reporting depressive or anxiety symptoms and CVH defined by Life’s Simple 7, Life’s Essential 8, or adapted composite indices were eligible. Study quality was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and a narrative synthesis was conducted.
RESULTS:
Eleven studies (n=731,650; mean age 22–48 years) out of 25 full-text articles assessed met inclusion criteria. Nine were conducted in the United States, one in China, and one in Puerto Rico. Seven cross-sectional studies reported an inverse association between CVH and CMDs, with higher CVH scores (ideal CVH) linked to lower odds or prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms (adjusted odds ratios (aORs 0.17–7.77). Four studies, including one cohort, found CMDs associated with suboptimal CVH (aORs 1.63–2.02).
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings suggest a potential bidirectional relationship between CVH and CMDs among adults. Integrated strategies promoting physical activity, healthy diet, and stress management, alongside primary care initiatives that incorporate behavioural support and screening cardiovascular and mental health risks, may benefit both conditions. Future research should prioritise longitudinal designs and use diverse analytical methods to clarify directionality.
Depression and anxiety are common among younger adults and contribute to adverse physical and social outcomes. Evidence suggests a potential bidirectional relationship between common mental disorders (CMDs) and cardiovascular health (CVH), yet this remains understudied. This review examined the relationship between CVH and CMDs in individuals aged 15–50 years.
METHODS:
MEDLINE (PubMed), APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL (EBSCO) were searched from inception to 4 November 2024. Observational studies reporting depressive or anxiety symptoms and CVH defined by Life’s Simple 7, Life’s Essential 8, or adapted composite indices were eligible. Study quality was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and a narrative synthesis was conducted.
RESULTS:
Eleven studies (n=731,650; mean age 22–48 years) out of 25 full-text articles assessed met inclusion criteria. Nine were conducted in the United States, one in China, and one in Puerto Rico. Seven cross-sectional studies reported an inverse association between CVH and CMDs, with higher CVH scores (ideal CVH) linked to lower odds or prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms (adjusted odds ratios (aORs 0.17–7.77). Four studies, including one cohort, found CMDs associated with suboptimal CVH (aORs 1.63–2.02).
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings suggest a potential bidirectional relationship between CVH and CMDs among adults. Integrated strategies promoting physical activity, healthy diet, and stress management, alongside primary care initiatives that incorporate behavioural support and screening cardiovascular and mental health risks, may benefit both conditions. Future research should prioritise longitudinal designs and use diverse analytical methods to clarify directionality.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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