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Key points
- A recent study showed ADHD is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared with controls.
- Though the danger is high for both men and women, males and young adults are at somewhat higher risk.
- The most common risks are for cardiac arrest, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease/arteriosclerosis.
- The cognitive and physical benefits of exercise for adult ADHD are well-documented, but these new findings stress its importance for well-being.
A recent Swedish study following over five million adults for 12 years reported an increased risk of developing some form of cardiovascular disease for adults with ADHD compared with those without ADHD.1 (Individuals with pre-existing cardiac problems at the start of the study period were excluded.) Overall, 38 percent of adults with ADHD had a diagnosis of at least one type of cardiovascular disease compared with 24 percent of the non-ADHD control group. This risk persisted after controlling for age and sex, though males and young adults with ADHD had a higher risk compared with controls. Taking medications for ADHD or other health or psychiatric conditions as prescribed did not affect the risk, though some conditions co-existing with ADHD, such as eating disorders and substance misuse, increased cardiac health risks compared to adults with ADHD only.
These findings suggest that the effects of adult ADHD are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the most common forms being cardiac arrest, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease/arteriosclerosis. As the study used data from a national health register, it may include more severe cases and not include milder cases of ADHD. Moreover, data on lifestyle behaviors, such as exercise and diet, were not available.
The Bigger Picture Health Risks for Adults With ADHD
This study is consistent with recent reviews of the associations of a lifetime diagnosis of ADHD with a host of health issues, some of which were noted in the previous study as heightening cardiovascular disease risk.2,3 These factors combined with a history of ADHD in a study reviewing health status and behaviors at age 27 predicted reduced estimated life expectancy by over 10 years.3
The Benefits of Exercise for Adults With ADHD
A recent study found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) yielded specific benefits to young adults with ADHD.4 Compared with non-ADHD controls, college students with ADHD gained greater benefits on measures of symptoms of ADHD and depression, as well as improved cognitive processing speed and response variability on a computerized continuous performance task. Such a result is consistent with other reviews of the multiple benefits of exercise for adults with ADHD, for which many such regimens will generalize to cardiovascular health and overall health and well-being.5
Apart from the obvious overall health and cognitive benefits for adults with ADHD, an exercise regimen contributes to the organizational scaffolding of one’s day. It supports overall well-being, including improved sleep and short-term symptomatic benefits for ADHD. Hopefully, exercise in whatever form works for individuals with ADHD also boosts their sense of self-esteem, efficacy, and confidence in other endeavors and roles in their lives. Lastly, these modifiable health behaviors can be staples of treatment plans within evidence-based medical and psychosocial treatment approaches for adult ADHD.
References
1 LI, L. et al. (2022). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population-based cohort study. World Psychiatry, 21, 452-459. doi: 10.1002/wps.21020
2 Nigg, J. T. (2013). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and adverse health outcomes. Clinical Psychology Review, 33, 215-228. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2012.11.005
3 Barkley, R. A., & Fischer, M. (2019). Hyperactive childhood syndrome and estimate life expectancy at young adult follow-up: The role of adult ADHD and other potential predictors. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23, 907-923. doi: 10.1177/1087054718816164
4 LaCount, P. A., et al. (2022). Acute effects of physical exercise on cognitive and psychological functioning in college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Mental Health and Activity, 22, 100443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100443
5 Ratey, J. J. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Little, Brown, and Company.
