Common questions / 01/12/2019

Is heart disease related to PTSD?

Veterans. Studies found that veterans are at a higher risk for heart disease, mainly due to PTSD as a result of combat.

How does PTSD affect heart?

Persons suffering from PTSD and chronic PTSD have been shown to have increases in basal heart rate and blood pressure and increased heart rate and blood pressure in response to stimuli such as loud sounds and visual slides that remind them of the trauma [6-9].

What is the most common reason why veterans suffer from PTSD?

Risk factors for PTSD among people in the military include lower education status, previous traumas, drug and alcohol use, poor social support, and a history of mental illness.

Can PTSD cause heart arrhythmia?

New Study Finds Link Between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Increased Risk of Developing Atrial Fibrillation. A new study is the first to report a relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and new cases of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart arrhythmia.

Can anxiety weaken your heart?

Increased blood pressure – Stress and anxiety cause cortisol levels to spike which increases blood pressure and heart rate. Frequent spikes in blood pressure weaken the heart muscle and could eventually lead to coronary disease.

Is PTSD permanent disability?

For some people, the thoughts or memories of past traumatic events can have serious implications for their health and functioning in their day-to-day lives, long after the danger or threat has passed. Without proper treatment and support, PTSD can cause long-term disability.

Is there a link between PTSD and cardiovascular disease?

One such study, published in 2013, suggested that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might be a fast track to developing premature cardiovascular disease, and examined the changes in the body PTSD causes that might be responsible for this association. The study was done by researchers with VA and the University of California, San Diego.

What was the VA study on cardiovascular disease?

The cardiovascular unit led a study to determine how well the newer drugs actually worked. Then, under the direction of Dr. Edward Freis, VA investigators conducted a study to find out whether using these drugs to control blood pressure actually led to the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and other complications of heart disease.

Can a veteran get a service connection for a heart attack?

When he tries to get a service connection for the heart attack or stroke, the VA denies his claim. A related situation is where a veteran who is service-connected for PTSD suffers a heart attack or stroke and dies. His widow then files a claim for service-connection for the cause of death, but VA denies her claim as well.

What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in veterans?

VA is also making Veterans and their families aware of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Besides high blood pressure, these include smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of physical activity, and uncontrolled diabetes. The department offers a number of evidence-based programs to help Veterans manage these conditions.

What are the symptoms of PTSD in older veterans?

Many older Veterans find they have PTSD symptoms even 50 or more years after their wartime experience. Some symptoms of PTSD include having nightmares or feeling like you are reliving the event, avoiding situations that remind you of the event, being easily startled, and loss of interest in activities.

When do PTSD symptoms go down after a war?

For some Veterans, PTSD symptoms can be high right after their war experience, go down over the years, and then worsen again later in life. Many older Veterans have functioned well since their military experience. Then later in life, they begin to think more or become more emotional about their wartime experience.