Why Do Autistic People Have an Increased Risk of Heart Disease?

Autistic individuals have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases throughout their lives. Several recent studies confirm this reality and reveal significant disparities compared to the general population. For example, an analysis of over 8 million individuals in the Netherlands showed that autistic people had an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, strokes, and heart failure, starting as early as adolescence.

The causes of this vulnerability are multiple and interconnected. Autistic individuals often face difficulties adopting a lifestyle that promotes cardiovascular health. They are less physically active due to barriers such as lack of access to adapted programs, experiences of bullying, or sensory challenges that make certain activities uncomfortable. Their diet may also be unbalanced, as sensory particularities influence their food preferences and eating habits. Sleep disorders, which are common in this population, further increase the risks, as poor-quality sleep is linked to obesity and hypertension.

Other factors come into play. Autistic individuals are more exposed to chronic stress due to stigmatization, discrimination, and the need to mask their autistic traits to fit in. This prolonged stress promotes weight gain and disrupts metabolism. Additionally, antipsychotic medications, sometimes prescribed, increase the risks of diabetes and obesity, especially between the ages of 15 and 30.

Social inequalities and access to healthcare also play a role. Autistic individuals, particularly those from ethnic minorities, face cumulative difficulties in obtaining quality care. Healthcare professionals often lack training to support them, and experiences of stigmatization in medical settings discourage some from seeking consultations. Autistic women, for example, receive diagnoses later and encounter more obstacles in accessing appropriate treatments.

Finally, current interventions remain insufficient. Few studies evaluate specific cardiovascular prevention programs, and those that do exist are often small in scale or short in duration. Holistic approaches, combining physical activity, diet, and psychological support, show promising results, but their widespread implementation faces logistical and financial challenges.

These findings highlight the urgency to act. Improving the cardiovascular health of autistic individuals requires more in-depth research, tailored interventions, and better training for professionals. The stakes are high, as these individuals have a life expectancy reduced by an average of 16 years, partly due to these preventable health issues.

Documentation and Sources

Reference Document

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-026-00389-7

Title: A Narrative Review of Cardiovascular Health in Autistic Individuals: Epidemiologic Evidence, Mechanistic Pathways, and Future Directions

Journal: Current Epidemiology Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Emily Hotez; Lanxin Song; Yixin Yang