TY - JOUR
AU - E. Otobo
AU - J. D. Nguyen
AU - F. Saeed
AU - Torpoco Rivera
AU - S. Sinnott
AU - P. K. Mehta
AU - A. V. Seligowski
AU - S. Abohashem
AU - M. T. Osborne
A1 - 
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review describes the complex relationships between depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder with atherosclerosis by discussing epidemiological evidence, implicated mechanisms, and the impact of psychiatric interventions on cardiovascular outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder convey independent risk for atherosclerosis. Further, the presence of cardiovascular disease often contributes to worsened psychiatric symptoms. Current evidence supports a rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders in association with atherosclerosis and demographic disparities, with stronger links in women and African Americans. Shared biological mechanisms include autonomic dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis overactivity, inflammation, and vascular effects. Pharmacological treatments and behavioral therapies, such as psychotherapy, have the potential to reduce cardiovascular events and improve physiological markers. The expanding understanding of the bidirectional link between depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder and atherosclerosis calls for integrated care. Early screening and management of these psychiatric disorders may help to slow cardiovascular disease progression.
AD - Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.; Cardiology Division, Heart Vascular Institute, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.; Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.; Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. mosborne@mgh.harvard.edu.; Cardiology Division, Heart Vascular Institute, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. mosborne@mgh.harvard.edu.; Cardiology Division, Heart Vascular Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Yawkey 5B, 02114-2750, Boston, MA, USA. mosborne@mgh.harvard.edu.
AN - 42033497
BT - Curr Atheroscler Rep
C5 - Medically Unexplained Symptoms
CP - 1
DA - 04/2026
DO - 10.1007/s11883-026-01415-1
DP - NLM
ET - 20260425
IS - 1
JF - Curr Atheroscler Rep
LA - eng
N2 - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review describes the complex relationships between depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder with atherosclerosis by discussing epidemiological evidence, implicated mechanisms, and the impact of psychiatric interventions on cardiovascular outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder convey independent risk for atherosclerosis. Further, the presence of cardiovascular disease often contributes to worsened psychiatric symptoms. Current evidence supports a rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders in association with atherosclerosis and demographic disparities, with stronger links in women and African Americans. Shared biological mechanisms include autonomic dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis overactivity, inflammation, and vascular effects. Pharmacological treatments and behavioral therapies, such as psychotherapy, have the potential to reduce cardiovascular events and improve physiological markers. The expanding understanding of the bidirectional link between depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder and atherosclerosis calls for integrated care. Early screening and management of these psychiatric disorders may help to slow cardiovascular disease progression.
PY - 2026
SN - 1523-3804
ST - Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder and Atherosclerosis
T1 - Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder and Atherosclerosis
T2 - Curr Atheroscler Rep
TI - Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder and Atherosclerosis
U1 - Medically Unexplained Symptoms
U3 - 10.1007/s11883-026-01415-1
VL - 28
VO - 1523-3804
Y1 - 2026
ER -