Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia: implications for primary care

People with schizophrenia have substantial premature mortality compared to individuals without schizophrenia. They also have a wide range of co-morbidities and multiple physical health conditions but are less likely than people without schizophrenia to have a primary care record of cardiovascular disease. This suggests a systematic underrecognition and under-treatment of cardiovascular disease, which may contribute to the increased mortality seen in this vulnerable patient group.