European Society of Cardiology Urges Systemic Change to address Mental Health’s Impact on Cardiovascular Care
BARCELONA, SPAIN – August 30, 2025 – The European Society of cardiology (ESC) today released a groundbreaking consensus statement calling for a fundamental shift in how healthcare professionals recognize and address the critical interplay between mental health conditions and cardiovascular disease. The statement, endorsed by leading psychological and psychiatric organizations, highlights a important gap in care and a pressing need for improved integration of mental health support within cardiology practices.
This initiative arrives at a crucial moment, as millions across Europe and globally experience the combined burden of heart disease and mental illness.Thes individuals face a heightened risk of poorer health outcomes, reduced quality of life, and decreased adherence to vital treatments. The ESC’s statement aims to empower patients to openly discuss their mental wellbeing with heart specialists and to ensure those concerns are met with timely, effective intervention. The long-term goal is to improve both mental and physical health for this vulnerable population, and to refine risk assessment tools to better reflect the unique challenges faced by those with severe mental illness.
The consensus statement emphasizes a critical lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding the prevalence of mental health conditions in individuals with cardiovascular disease, and the subsequent impact on treatment success. It identifies substantial knowledge gaps concerning the complex relationship between these two areas of health, specifically the absence of standardized, evidence-based protocols for integrated care.
A particularly concerning area highlighted in the statement is the increased vulnerability of individuals with severe mental illness to cardiovascular complications. These patients are at elevated risk of developing arrhythmias, including possibly life-threatening ventricular and supraventricular types, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Contributing factors include the distress associated with their mental health condition, a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and potential side effects from certain psychiatric medications.
“We hope the consensus Statement will spark a change that empowers patients to feel able to discuss their mental health with cardiovascular professionals, and that they will have a better chance of this being taken seriously,” stated Professor Deaton, a leading figure in the development of the statement. “This means accessing timely assessment, management, and the support they need to improve their mental health.”
the ‘2025 ESC Clinical Consensus Statement on Mental Health and Cardiovascular Disease’ was developed by a dedicated task force within the ESC, and has received endorsements from the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations, the European psychiatric Association, and the International Society of Behavioral Medicine. The full statement is published in the European Heart Journal (Bueno,H., et al. (2025). 2025 ESC Clinical Consensus Statement on mental health and cardiovascular disease: developed under the auspices of the ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines Commitee. European Heart Journal. doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf191).
Source: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
