Association of psychiatric drugs with cardiovascular symptoms in medical university students

Abstract

Objective   To investigate the impact of psychiatric medications taken by medical university students on cardiovascular (CV) symptoms reported by students before and after treatment.

Materials and methods   A study was conducted using an original, anonymous questionnaire distributed via university email to students of a medical university between February 20 and March 8, 2024. The survey consisted of 22 items addressing mental health status, medication use, stress levels, and CV symptoms.

Results   A total of 1132 students completed the survey. A diagnosed mental disorder was reported by 27.83 % of participants, of whom 59.66 % declared current use of psychiatric medication. Following pharmacological treatment, a statistically significant reduction was observed in the prevalence of several CV symptoms, including dizziness, syncope, palpitations, chest pain, abnormal bleeding, prolonged bleeding, orthostatic hypotension, and cold extremities. In contrast, among students without a diagnosed mental disorder but reporting high or very high daily stress, 82.6% experienced at least one CV symptom. Multivariable logistic regression identified high daily stress (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.98–3.82; P <0.001) and mental disorder diagnosis (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.40–2.65; P <0.001) as the strongest independent predictors of CV symptoms.

Conclusions   Psychiatric medications reduce CV symptoms that accompany mental disorders and do not increase the incidence of these symptoms among students taking psychiatric medications. Among people without mental illness, frequent occurrence of circulatory system symptoms may be related to high or very high levels of daily stress.