PTSD Increases Heart Disease Risk

According to researchers at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be at a higher risk for heart disease.

Researchers studied US war veterans and found that those with PTSD were more likely to have plaque accumulation in the arteries leading to coronary artery disease. Over 3/4 of the vets with PTSD had coronary atherosclerosis, versus 59% among the other vets. These subjects were then monitored for 3-years and by the end of this period 17% of those with PTSD had died, compared to 10% of those without the disorder.

Scientists have added that further studies are required to confirm that PTSD causes heart disease. They insist that their findings suggest that treating PTSD as just a mental disorder is not enough anymore.


Source: Medindia