PTSD

New Study Shows Link Between PTSD and Risk of Heart Failure

By April 14, 2015No Comments

Combat Soldiers With Conditions Such as PTSD Face the Greatest Risk

PTSDNew research conducted through the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs finds that combat soldiers experiencing PTSD also face a 47 percent higher risk of developing heart disease compared to combat soldiers without PTSD. Heart disease and heart failure occur when the heart muscle is not pumping strongly enough to push a sufficient blood supply throughout the body. Around 5 million Americans in total experience heart failure.

For this study researchers looked at 8,248 outpatients seen through the Hawaii and other Pacific island VA health clinics. The patients were tracked for a period of seven years. Right around 21 percent of studied patients had PTSD. From the over 8,000 patients, 371 experienced heart failure within the seven year follow-up; a majority 287 had PTSD and 84 had heart failure but no PTSD. Researchers also compared soldiers with combat to those who’d never faced combat and found that battle experience translated into a five times higher risk of heart disease.

The study was careful to emphasize that their findings established a link but fell short of defining PTSD as the only link. Other contributing factors to heart disease include things such as age, high blood pressure, weight and diabetes. Still, the VA study adds to a growing pile of investigation which links the anxiety and stress disorder to increased risk for heart problems. This study, however, focused only on veteran subjects.

At Family Guidance Center we understand how your emotional wellness can affect your physical wellness. It’s because there is such a strong link between the two that we urge you to not ignore symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health concerns. Call us today and take a positive step toward protecting your heart, your health and your future.