Introduction: The Unseen Drivers of Ischemic Heart Disease
For decades, the prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has focused predominantly on the ‘traditional’ risk factors: dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco use. While these factors remain the cornerstones of cardiovascular risk assessment, a significant portion of the global burden of heart disease remains unexplained or inadequately managed. Emerging evidence suggests that the mind-heart connection is not merely a psychological phenomenon but a clinical reality with profound physiological consequences. A landmark systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry by Gupta et al. (2026) provides a robust, evidence-based quantification of how mental disorders serve as potent precursors to ACS.
