Researchers have long believed that those with a history of mental illness have a higher risk of death. A new study conducted in Europe seems to back up that theory. According to the study, people who are admitted to a hospital with non-cardiac chest pain are more likely to die the following year, primarily from cardiovascular complications, if they have a previous psychiatric admission, according to Onmedica.com.

The study took a look at data of more than 150,000 patients treated in Scotland from 1991 to 2006. Researchers discovered that previous psychiatric admission did have an effect on short-term mortality for those hospitalized with non-cardiac chest pain.

The research revealed that cardiovascular and all-cause mortality for both men and women were substantially higher in their first year after being admitted for non-cardiac chest pain if they had also been admitted for mental problems in the previous 10 years. The numbers were 6.3 percent versus 4.3 percent for men, and for women it was 5.3 percent versus 3.6 percent.

One expert summarizes the results by saying that people with psychiatric illnesses were at an increased risk of death compared to the rest of the population. The findings were apparently consistent with other research that has shown people with a psychiatric history show an increased risk for heart-related problems and death.

One possible outcome of the study: encouraging clinicians to take a closer look to carefully assess cardiovascular risk in those with a history of mental illness. The correlation has not been fully explained, but knowing there is a connection may be helpful in the future.

Source: Onmedica.com, "Prior mental illness raises mortality," Louise Prime, Dec. 1, 2011