Study: Vets Suffering from PTSD at Greater Heart Health Risk

By Rachel Stockton (rachels@foodconsumer.org)

A new study conducted by the University of California San Francisco shows that veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to have higher heart related risk factors than those who do not.

Dr. Beth E. Cohen, team leader of the study, focused on the medical files of veterans who sought care for mental health issues at various VA facilities across the country: 267,000 males and 36,000 females. In both male and females, those who had been diagnosed with PTSD were roughly twice as likely to have high cholesterol and hypertension. As the average age of those studied is 30, only time will tell if these risk factors develop into full scale heart problems.

While the study didn't research why these particular soldiers are at higher heart health risk, Dr. Cohen speculates that depression brought on by the disorder can subvert any motivation the patient may have to exercise, or improve their health on their own through healthy eating habits and other proactive measures.

In an interview with the University of California's Science Café, Dr. Cohen states that in order to be diagnosed with PTSD, a victim must experience symptoms in "each of three categories." One is re-experiencing the event through flashbacks; another is avoidance of activities or situations that remind you of the event. The third symptom is hyper-arousal, or a constant sense of being on edge.

According to the United States Department of Foreign Affairs website, PTSD can surface months or even years after a soldier is subjected to a traumatic event, and can be triggered by one or more of the following:

· Hearing a car backfire, which can mimic the sounds of gun fighting

· Seeing a car accident

· Watching extensive news reporting on the war

Left untreated, PTSD can manifest itself through substance abuse, feelings of hopelessness and despair, employment problems, and divorce and relationship issues. The current study, which is being published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, is one of the first to show a definitive link between heart problems and PTSD.

Veterans suffering from PTSD are encouraged to see a therapist specializing in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as this appears to be the most helpful type of assistance for the PTSD victim.