Millions of Americans struggle with bipolar disorder. Studies have suggested that bipolar disorder comes with the risk of coronary heart disease when taking certain mood stabilizers. Due to bipolar disorder often being treated with therapy and medications, psychiatrists and physicians have the power to decrease the patient’s chances of suffering heart issues and strokes.
Risk Factors of Bipolar Medications
Depression is one of the leading causes of morbidity rates for those with bipolar disorder. A lack of effective interventions and monitoring physical health symptoms can lead to poor outcomes in bipolar patients. Because the mortality rate is two to three times higher for those with bipolar disorder, health care practitioners can do more in providing a better life for these patients.
Educate Patients
Physicians can teach patients about how diet, sleep, exercise, and drug use can impact their health and behavior. This education can be delivered through phone calls, emails, telehealth, and in-person consultations when picking up their prescription. If a patient with bipolar disorder does not have internet access, maybe they can receive this information through their cell phone. Education is the first step for bipolar patients to learn about how effective the right course of treatment can be.
Explore Therapeutic Options to Reduce Heart Disease Risks
There have been significant treatment options for people with bipolar disorder throughout the years. Treatments are changing at the point where fewer patients are being prescribed mood stabilizers and are instead prescribed second-generation antipsychotics. Patients need to understand medication options that eliminate the risk of heart disease and other issues. For example, lithium has been known as a bipolar medication that reduces the risk of stroke.
Suggest Alternative Treatment Options
If medications are no longer an option for you, there are many other bipolar treatment options to consider. You can consider talk therapy, group therapy, and more. Behavioral therapies have the potential to reduce episodes and improve health outcomes as well as lessen the likelihood of a stroke or other health issues. It is vital for primary care physicians to monitor patients with bipolar disorder to ensure their physical and mental health is strong.
Physicians and psychiatrists play a role in making sure the medications given do not risk the likelihood of a stroke. If the mortality rates of bipolar patients keep growing, more monitoring needs to be done towards their behavior and the medications they are taking. At Alta Loma, we understand the importance of treating bipolar and other mental health disorders. Located in Georgetown, Texas, we can provide you with individualized therapy, medication management, life, and coping skills education, and much more. Please give us a call at (866) 457-3843 for more information about our services.
