Cardiac Rehabilitation for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in People With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

The goal of this prospective, randomized trial is to explore the link between cardiovascular disease and mortality in individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). The main question it aims to answer is: Is a primary prevention cardiac rehabilitation intervention feasible and effective at reducing cardiovascular risk in people with a primary psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder?"Participants will undergo a multi-component primary prevention intervention program. Researchers will compare with a control group to see if cardiovascular risk reduction is attained.

Inclusion Criteria:Age ≥ 30 to 59 years oldPsychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar I disorder2 or more cardiac risk behaviors or conditions: smoking, obese, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea10-year Framingham cardiovascular risk score of ≥ 10% (intermediate risk)Willing to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programExclusion Criteria:Psychiatric instability, as judged by treating psychiatristDistance from cardiac rehabilitation centre that would preclude participationUnsafe to participate in the cardiac rehabilitation intervention, as judged by the cardiology assessmentPregnantKnown coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular diseaseCourt ordered mandatory or tutor