Is there a link between schizophrenia and higher heart rate based on recent studies?
Recent research has found a link between schizophrenia and a higher resting heart rate. A large meta-analysis of studies published between 2015 and 2025 showed that people with schizophrenia have an average heart rate about 6 beats per minute higher than healthy controls 2. This difference is important because it may help explain why people with schizophrenia have a much higher risk of sudden cardiac death — three to four times higher than the general population 11. While some of this risk comes from known factors like heart disease and diabetes, the higher heart rate itself could be a sign of underlying heart rhythm problems 2.
What the research says
A 2025 meta-analysis of 11 studies including over 5,600 people with schizophrenia and over 23,000 healthy controls found that those with schizophrenia had a significantly higher heart rate (mean difference of 6.24 beats per minute) 2. The same analysis also found increased QT dispersion (a measure of how evenly the heart's electrical signals recover) and QTc dispersion, which are markers of arrhythmia risk 2. These changes were seen even after accounting for medication effects, suggesting the higher heart rate is not solely due to antipsychotic drugs 2.
Other studies support a link between schizophrenia and heart problems. A 2025 study on sudden cardiac death in schizophrenia found that about 10% of deaths remain unexplained even after full autopsy, and many cases showed signs of heart enlargement or scarring 11. A Mendelian randomization study from 2023 found that genetic liability for schizophrenia was linked to a slightly increased risk of heart failure 9. Additionally, a data-linkage study from 2020 showed that people with schizophrenia have higher rates of ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes, both of which can affect heart rate and rhythm 10.
It is important to note that antipsychotic medications can also affect heart rate and heart rhythm. For example, the FDA-approved drug Perseris (risperidone) is used to treat schizophrenia but can have cardiovascular side effects 1. However, the meta-analysis found that the higher heart rate was present even in drug-naïve patients, suggesting the condition itself plays a role 2.
What to ask your doctor
- Could my higher resting heart rate be related to my schizophrenia or my medication?
- Should I have an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check my heart rhythm and QT interval?
- What can I do to lower my risk of heart problems, such as managing weight, blood pressure, or diabetes?
- Are there any medications for schizophrenia that might be easier on my heart?
- How often should I have my heart rate and cardiovascular health monitored?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Psychiatry and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.