Research finds genetic links between schizophrenia, heart disease risk factors

A recent study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found a genetic overlap between schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as smoking and BMI. The research suggests that individuals with schizophrenia have a genetic susceptibility to smoking and a lower genetic risk of obesity. The study also found genetic overlap between schizophrenia and other CVD risk factors, indicating that environmental factors play a role in the development of obesity and other comorbidities.