Heart disease and suicide

Approximately, 11% of Europeans suffer from a cardiovascular disease. Although somatic disorders are linked to suicidal behavior, updated studies on heart disease and suicide are needed. This study examines whether individuals diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease have higher suicide rates compared to individuals without a cardiovascular disease. Danish register data for the period 1980-2016 was used for the analyses.

Several specific disorders, such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and acute myocardial infarction were found to be associated with elevated rates of suicide. Particularly, cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation was linked to a 4-fold higher suicide rate. Additionally, the first time after diagnosis was associated with higher suicide rates. The results underscore the importance of being attentive towards psychological distress in individuals with heart disease.