The risk of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality is known to increase in patients with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia have an increased risk of sudden death and are 2–4 times more likely to die prematurely compared to the general population. The second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are associated with cardiovascular side effects that can have serious consequences to patients(Table).
Atypical antipsychotic drugs are a chemically diverse group of drugs, and the type and the degree of associated cardiovascular effects may therefore vary. Risk factors for cardiovascular adverse effects associated with the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs include advanced age, autonomic dysfunction, preexisting cardiovascular disease, female gender (for risk of QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes), electrolyte imbalances (particularly hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia),…