ADHD and Cardiometabolic Health Risks

Multiple recent studies link ADHD with elevated rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke. A 2022 meta-analysis found that individuals with ADHD have approximately a 73% higher risk of developing any CVD compared to those without ADHD ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis – PMC ). In a Swedish nationwide cohort of over 5 million adults, 38% of individuals with ADHD had at least one CVD diagnosis over ~12 years, versus ~24% in non-ADHD peers ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ). This corresponded to roughly 2-fold higher hazard of CVD in the ADHD group (hazard ratio ~2.0 after adjusting for age and sex) ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ). Notably, the strongest relative risks were observed for acute cardiac events and strokes – for example, cardiac arrest (HR ≈2.3) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR ≈2.16) occurred at more than double the rate in adults with ADHD ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ). These associations remained significant even after accounting for factors like smoking, obesity, and diabetes, indicating that ADHD is an independent risk factor for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ). Some research suggests the risk increase may be more pronounced in males with ADHD than in females ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ), though both sexes with ADHD show elevated CVD rates. In practical terms, adults with ADHD were “more than twice as likely to develop at least one cardiovascular disease” compared to those without ADHD (Adult ADHD linked to elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases | Karolinska Institutet). These findings underscore the importance of monitoring heart and vascular health in people with ADHD.

Metabolic and Cardiometabolic Risks in ADHD

ADHD is also associated with higher rates of metabolic disorders such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Growing evidence indicates that ADHD is a risk factor for components of metabolic syndrome – particularly excess weight and type 2 diabetes – in both children and adults (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes – PubMed). Individuals with ADHD tend to have more unhealthy lifestyle factors (e.g. sedentary behavior, binge eating), which contribute to increased risks of obesity, elevated blood pressure, and impaired glucose metabolism (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes – PubMed). For example, a 2022 systematic review reported that people with ADHD had over twice the odds of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those without ADHD (pooled OR ~2.05) ( The relationship between diabetes mellitus and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PMC ). Another large longitudinal study (N>12,000) found that childhood hyperactive/impulsive symptoms predicted higher odds of adult obesity and hypertension, linking early ADHD symptoms to later-life cardiometabolic problems ( The relationship between diabetes mellitus and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PMC ). Consistently, research has “ascertained associations of ADHD with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension” across the lifespan (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes – PubMed). Medical experts now suggest treating individuals with ADHD as a high-risk group for cardiometabolic complications (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes – PubMed) – meaning proactive screening and prevention (healthy diet, blood pressure monitoring, etc.) is warranted to mitigate long-term health risks.

Multimorbidity and ADHD

Multimorbidity – the co-occurrence of multiple disorders – is very common in people with ADHD. ADHD rarely exists in isolation; it frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions (like anxiety or depression) and physical health conditions (such as asthma or obesity) ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ). This leads to a substantial health burden. Some key statistics on ADHD and comorbidity include:

Because ADHD patients often have such co-existing conditions (both mental and physical), they experience a heavier multimorbidity burden than the general population. Crucially, unrecognized ADHD may allow these health issues to accumulate. One study emphasized that many adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed and that identifying ADHD in adulthood is important since it “may confer an increased risk for poorer health outcomes, including physical multimorbidity.” (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and physical multimorbidity: A population-based study – PubMed) Early diagnosis and management of ADHD could, therefore, help reduce or better manage the cascade of health problems that tend to accompany the disorder.

Sources

  1. Li et al. (2022). World Psychiatry – ADHD as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ) ( Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide population‐based cohort study – PMC ). (Large Swedish cohort study showing ~1.8-fold increased hazard of any cardiovascular disease in adults with ADHD, with particularly high relative risks for cardiac arrest and hemorrhagic stroke.)
  2. Wang et al. (2022). Front. Pediatr. – ADHD and Diabetes Mellitus Meta-analysis ( The relationship between diabetes mellitus and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PMC ) ( The relationship between diabetes mellitus and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PMC ). (Systematic review reporting ~2× higher odds of type 2 diabetes in ADHD patients, and noting links between childhood ADHD symptoms and adult obesity/hypertension.)
  3. Landau & Pinhas-Hamiel (2019). Curr Diab Rep – ADHD, Metabolic Syndrome, and T2D (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes – PubMed). (Review of evidence that ADHD predisposes to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes; recommends treating ADHD patients as high-risk for cardiometabolic complications.)
  4. Stickley et al. (2017). Eur Psychiatry – ADHD and Physical Multimorbidity (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and physical multimorbidity: A population-based study – PubMed) (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and physical multimorbidity: A population-based study – PubMed). (Population survey in adults found those with ≥5 chronic diseases had 3.3× higher odds of ADHD; highlights the importance of diagnosing adult ADHD to improve health outcomes.)
  5. NCHS/CDC Data Brief (2024) – ADHD Prevalence in Children (2020–2022) (Products – Data Briefs – Number 499 – March 2024). (U.S. survey data showing higher ADHD diagnosis rates in boys (14.5%) than girls (8.0%) and higher prevalence in ages 12–17 vs 5–11.)
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