Heart Muscle Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder Study
- New study findings published by investigators in Biological Psychiatry identified subtle heart muscle abnormalities in young adults with bipolar disorder by measuring peak systolic strain and myocardial work.
- "Because no study has previously evaluated regional peak systolic strain and regional myocardial work in patients with bipolar disorder using the American Heart Association (AHA) 17-segment model, this...
- as a severe mental illness,bipolar disorder typically presents signs and symptoms during adolescence and young adulthood,including mania and hypomania and major depressive episodes.
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Subtle Heart Abnormalities Found in Young Adults with Bipolar Disorder
New study findings published by investigators in Biological Psychiatry identified subtle heart muscle abnormalities in young adults with bipolar disorder by measuring peak systolic strain and myocardial work. The study authors noted that these early cardiac issues could be a factor in the high rate of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease in individuals with bipolar disorder.1,2
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“Because no study has previously evaluated regional peak systolic strain and regional myocardial work in patients with bipolar disorder using the American Heart Association (AHA) 17-segment model, this hypothesis-generating study was designed to identify patterns and formulate potential hypotheses for further examination into the heart-bipolar disorder link,” Pao-Huan Chen, MD, PhD, department of psychiatry, school of medicine, college of medicine at Taipei Medical University; and department of psychiatry and psychiatric research center at Taipei Medical University Hospital, said in a news release.2
Bipolar Disorder and Cardiovascular Disease
as a severe mental illness,bipolar disorder typically presents signs and symptoms during adolescence and young adulthood,including mania and hypomania and major depressive episodes. However, symptoms in children and teens are often hard to identify, including fast mood shifts during episodes.2,3
Previous population-based cohort studies and large-scale meta-analyses have revealed that individuals with bipolar disorder are at nearly a 2-fold higher risk of heart failure, which is marked as the main cause of premature cardiovascular mortality among individuals with bipolar disorder.1,2
“Individuals with bipolar disorder have reduced life expectancy relative to the general population by nine to 20 years, and some of this risk may be related to increased risk for cardiovascular disease,” John Krystal, MD, editor of Biological Psychiatry said in the news release. This study raises important questions about this risk and potential genetic links between bipolar disorder and cardiac disease, the cardiac impact of psychotropic medications and other environmental factors like diet, exercise, stress, and substance use. It will also be important to understand why women were affected to a greater extent than men.”2
What the Study Found: Peak Systolic Strain and Myocardial Work
The study utilized echocardiography to assess cardiac function in individuals with bipolar disorder. Researchers focused on two key measures:
- Peak Systolic strain (PSS): this measures how much the heart muscle fibers stretch during contraction. Reduced PSS can indicate subtle damage or dysfunction.
- Myocardial Work (MW): This represents the energy the heart expends during each beat. Lower MW can suggest reduced efficiency.
Using the American Heart Association (AHA) 17-segment model, the researchers analyzed these measures across different regions of the heart. They found statistically notable differences in PSS and MW in individuals with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls. Specifically, certain regions of the heart showed reduced strain and work, suggesting early signs of cardiac dysfunction.