Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, DD, In a significant step towards addressing the critical link between psychological and cardiac health, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu, held a day-long cardiac awareness cum health check-up camp at Shri Bhairav Mandir, Chowk Chabutra, Jammu. The camp focused on promoting a cardiac-friendly lifestyle and highlighted the urgent need to tackle the intertwined challenges of mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease (CVD), a combination that poses a major socioeconomic burden, particularly in developing countries.
While interacting with the community, Dr. Sushil Sharma stated that the global medical community now recognizes that health cannot be compartmentalized into separate physical and psychological domains. He elaborated on a pivotal new directive from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), which, through its latest Clinical Consensus Statement (August 2025), is calling for a cultural shift in how healthcare systems and societies approach this adverse combination.
“The connection between mental health and cardiovascular disease is complex and mutually reinforcing,” Dr. Sharma explained. He detailed that individuals with chronic conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic stress face a higher risk of developing hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. Conversely, CVD patients frequently experience depression and anxiety, which adversely affect their prognosis, treatment adherence, and quality of life.
Dr. Sushil elaborated on the physiological and psychological mechanisms behind this link. “Physiologically, chronic stress and depression lead to over activation of the body’s stress pathways, increased sympathetic tone, and elevated inflammation, all of which accelerate atherosclerosis. Psychologically, patients often adopt poor lifestyles and medication noncompliance, further compounding their cardiovascular risk.”
He maintained that the 2025 ESC Clinical Consensus Statement is a landmark initiative that underscores the need to normalize mental health screening within cardiology practice. “It advocates a shift from a purely biomedical to a bio-psychosocial model of care,” he said. The statement recommends that patients with either CVD or a mental health disorder should undergo routine assessment for the other condition, as their coexistence dramatically worsens long-term outcomes. Beyond the clinic, Dr. Sharma highlighted the ESC’s push for a broader cultural shift. “This includes integrating psychological support into cardiac rehab, fostering collaboration between cardiologists and mental health professionals, and addressing the stigma that hinders early treatment.”
The consequences of neglecting this link are severe, he added. “Depression in cardiac patients is associated with a two- to threefold increase in mortality. Therefore, incorporating mental health evaluation into standard cardiac care can substantially improve survival and quality of life.” He stressed that this approach demands structural reforms, from training healthcare workers to promoting community-based programs that support mental well-being as a means of preventing CVD. Lifestyle interventions like mindfulness, yoga, and stress management have proven benefits for both the mind and the heart, he said.
In conclusion, Dr. Sushil Sharma emphasized that this call for a cultural shift is a profound redefinition of holistic healthcare. “The intricate interplay between mental and cardiovascular health demands an integrated, compassionate approach. By breaking down the barriers between the mind and the heart, we can move toward a future where emotional well-being and cardiac health are seen as two halves of the same whole. Ultimately, healing the heart must also involve healing the mind.”
Management Committee of the Shri Bhairav Mandir Trust Mahant Shri Rumil Sharma , Chandan Datta , Baba Ramesh Lal , Aman Gupta, Prince and keshav appreciated the efforts of Dr Sushil and his team for conducting cardiac awareness cum health check up camp in their locality. Shri Yudhveer Sethi (MLA) , Smt Priya Sethi ( Former Minister ) and Shri Rajinder Sharma ( Former Mayor JMC) also graced the occasion.
The camp was coordinated by Dr. Venkatesh Yellupu. The paramedic team and volunteers included Rajkumar, Ranjeet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Maninder Singh, Rohit Nayyar , Rahul Vaid, Gourav Sharma ,Gokul Jamwal Vikas Kumar , Shubham Sharma, Paramveer Singh , Vishal Gupta , Sanjay Singh, Anmol Singh ,Nirvair Singh Bali and numerous volunteers of the Trust.DD
