home
RSS
PTSD strikes one in eight heart attack patients
June 20th, 2012
05:33 PM ET

PTSD strikes one in eight heart attack patients

PTSD – posttraumatic stress disorder – usually is associated with military personnel traumatized by combat or people who’ve been victimized by violent crime or sexual assaults.

But new study finds that one in eight patients develop PTSD after experiencing a heart attack or other major heart event. The study, published online in PLoS One, also reveals that heart patients who experience PTSD face double the risk for another heart event or dying within one to three years, compared to heart patients who do not experience PTSD.

Scientists from Columbia University Medical Center performed the first metanalysis of studies examining PTSD induced by major heart events. The studies included almost 2,400 patients who experienced acute coronary syndrome or ACS, an umbrella term medical professionals use to describe any condition that reduces blood flow to the heart, including heart attacks and unstable angina.

“Everybody is expected to have some disruption after a life threatening event such as a heart attack,” explained lead study author Donald Edmondson, assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, “ but after a month we expect people to mostly get back to normal.” Edmondson said their research focused on studies of patients who experienced symptoms of PTSD more than one months after their heart event.

“These studies measured PTSD symptoms – intrusive thoughts about the heart attack – out of nowhere… that sort of fight or flight response to these memories. People also have nightmares about the event, they have sleep disruptions, they actively avoid thinking about the heart attack, they try to manage their thoughts,” said Edmondson.

More than 1.4 million people in the U.S. are discharged each year from hospitals after suffering acute coronary syndrome, explained Edmondson,  If 12% of those patients experience clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, that means that 168,000 patients could experience PTSD each year after heart events.

While medical professionals are keenly aware of the association that has been shown between depression and heart attacks, Edmondson believes that making patients, their families and medical professionals aware of the incidence of PTSD after heart events is critical.

Edmondson said when he’s discussed findings about PTSD with cardiologists, they’ve told him 'I thought these were funny depression symptoms. I knew there was something wrong here but I didn’t have a language for it.'  Edmondson said that while PTSD and depression often travel together, "PTSD symptoms are unique – the experience of intrusive thoughts, the nightmares, the inability to shake thinking certain thoughts, the fight or flight symptoms are unique to PTSD. For a patient or a cardiologist who’s not looking for PTSD, once you know the symptoms, they sort of jump out and they’re unique to PTSD."

“Despite the variation in the estimates of the prevalence PTSD appears to be a reasonably common occurrence after ACS and seems to be associated with worse outcomes,” said Dr. Gordon F. Tomaselli, president of the American Heart Association.  "Further study is warranted but practitioners need to be alert to the possibly of PTSD after ACS and should institute treatment.”

“Physicians and patients have to be aware that this is a problem. Family members can also help,”  said Edmondson.  "There are good treatments for people with PTSD,” Edmondson noted, explaining that the best treatment is an “exposure based talk therapy," in which the patient talks about the traumatic experience, reliving it in an effort to desensitize them to the event.


soundoff (106 Responses)
  1. vách vệ sinh

    Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know
    a few of the images aren't loading properly. I'm not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I've tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.

    May 5, 2021 at 12:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. vách vệ sinh

    My family members all the time say that I am killing my time here at web, but I know I am getting experience daily by reading such
    fastidious content.

    May 6, 2021 at 08:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. sbobet

    Great article, just what I needed.

    May 6, 2021 at 10:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. vach ngan ve sinh

    I've been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of house .
    Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website.

    Reading this information So i'm satisfied to convey that I've
    a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed.
    I most without a doubt will make sure to don?t disregard
    this web site and provides it a look on a relentless basis.

    May 7, 2021 at 12:51 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Minh Lisherness

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs

    http://www.dramanite.com/second-life/australasian-second-life-conference/

    May 11, 2021 at 07:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Kimbery Bollich

    This was awesome! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusuf-hanafy-82493b183

    May 12, 2021 at 05:31 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Adam Drennan

    This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Cheers!

    https://extraproxies.com/tag/ecuacion/

    May 12, 2021 at 07:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. storno brzinol

    Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.

    http://www.stornobrzinol.com/

    May 16, 2021 at 02:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. William Boehning

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2010/06/?m=0

    May 17, 2021 at 08:46 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Lou Alhaddad

    Can I just say what a relief to discover somebody who genuinely knows what they are talking about on the net. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I can't believe you are not more popular given that you surely possess the gift.

    https://extraproxies.com/tag/d0bfd0bed0bbd183d0bfd180d0bed0b7d180d0b0d187d0bdd0bed0b5/

    May 17, 2021 at 22:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Pat Sacre

    I don't know about you guys but I am obsessed with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2009/05/are-new-airport-millimeter-wave-scanners-going-too-far/

    http://www.pseconline.org/pipermail/reps_pseconline.org/2013-October/000980.html

    May 19, 2021 at 05:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Denny Farah

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs

    http://rumblingstrips.blogspot.com/2009/10/

    May 20, 2021 at 04:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Marianne Regier

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2008/05/comiccon-nyc-last-weekend-we-had-ball.html?m=0

    May 21, 2021 at 03:11 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Geraldo Illovsky

    I don't know about you people but I infatuated with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2011/04/airline-livery-of-the-week-air-greenland/

    http://www.tulalipnews.com/wp/page/581/

    May 22, 2021 at 03:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Raymundo Randa

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life articles and blogs

    http://lostbiro.com/blog/?paged=31

    May 23, 2021 at 05:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. Carroll Williamon

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs

    http://lists.cofa.unsw.edu.au/pipermail/empyre/2007-August/msg00042.html

    May 28, 2021 at 05:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. Myrtis Biggard

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these Second Life articles and blogs

    http://lostbiro.com/blog/?paged=57

    May 29, 2021 at 06:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Kary Wirta

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl articles and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2014/09/latest-book-in-our-series-learning.html?showComment=1473068306963

    May 30, 2021 at 07:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. Emory Hofmann

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these Second Life articles and blogs

    http://middleschoolmatters.com/?pu003d257&paged=51

    May 31, 2021 at 06:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. Visit Website

    Great write-up, I¡¦m regular visitor of one¡¦s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

    https://telegra.ph/Suggestions-To-Picking-Out-A-Motorcycle-Helmet-05-29

    May 31, 2021 at 17:13 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. Tungjrb

    6 Tips form use on your attendant speech and toast

    The best lady talk is a vital part of the overall bridal ceremony and is additionally born by bride related or best friend. commonly bridesmaids messages information your attendees when it comes to regarding the bride and also just how she turns out to be beautiful back. greatest wedding ceremony and party toasts need not be al all long in entire time as well as best to be short-hand and sugary so they won't get very emotionally charged or bore your attendees accompanied by unneeded strategies and information. A hilarious house maid of all honour language should really be witty and describe a humorous enough adventure in order to bride and maybe the groom. more often than not marriage friends and family members want to listen to how the groom and bride first greeted as well as their unique love for additional blossomed throughout to bridal.

    if you have been favored to always be maid charmdate scam of all complete perhaps you have had no experience near transmitting a conversation to viewers. some bridesmaids 're a kid, first-time bridesmaids what people the absence experience and knowledge of besty functions and marriage social manners.

    1. normally include humour your own life speech. an entire conversational mustn't be one tall tale as well as that has to be unacceptable rather try to associated with illumination as long as hearted in spite of everything system our suffers from furthermore fondness the bride for. if in case indicating a joke ensure that you should suitable for the complete marriage. retain in mind drained while doing children and as a result seniors attending which could not throughout your company entertaining. It can often be difficult to deliver a joke that will be recognized in addition entertain all the family.

    2. the actual best speech sentimental on bride that she maybe daughter or maybe a companion may possibly a close spouse together. journey this is usually a wedding and your guests tend to be family and friends who would like to share this excellent experience of a couple of who will be in really enjoy setting their precious holiday or business trip thru day-to-day lives with one another.

    3. ones popular time period of a maid-matron of honour address is necessarily about 4 for you to 5 a matter of minutes. That initially doesn search long-term but at the time when you've to rise up and work a conversational specifically meaningful, intriquing, notable and with luck contemplating five short minutes can turn into a long time. It can be easy to overlook what you are saying and make a mess of the usb ports. So it is highly recommended to keep the wedding oral communication small if you do not are familiar with presentation.

    4. be sure that have the followers thought during the time you start your company's language. it's somebody else will also submit you or else pass the courtroom proceedings to a portal. write approach, bit by bit and / or fully to keep the social appeal over the audience. sustain a healthy posture as remain relieve published. take the time not rush through the talk. the attendees do provide the time to be controlled by both you and do want will wish to what you have to say. keep reliable eye hitting the ground with the wedding guests and perhaps with the bride and groom as they are the subject of your voice. it really is discovered an bridesmaid dialog prefer not to to read it by means of cardstock. regardless of the fact, It is recommended to possess some days news authored aboard a unit card to refresh your entire memory space since you may become uneasy and begin to forget actually saying.

    5. don are drinking alcohol earlier to an individuals address. it doesn't settled you and will get you to slur what you are saying and track down as tiny consumed to the guests. This will, no doubt not win over your beloved partner to be with her wedding.

    June 1, 2021 at 02:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. Royal Romito

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a video game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2018/04/uncertainty.html

    June 3, 2021 at 00:31 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Dee Schmand

    This was awesome! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy

    June 5, 2021 at 07:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Valene Hoisl

    This was great! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy

    June 7, 2021 at 07:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. Wanetta Chalfin

    This was great! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy

    June 10, 2021 at 04:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. Samara Mcgue

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2012/08/three-books-on-games-learning.html?showComment=1345761458691

    June 12, 2021 at 15:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. Talisha Hunton

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2018/05/border-crossers.html?showComment=1566392724317&m=0

    June 12, 2021 at 17:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. Fredric Greulich

    I don't know about you guys but I infatuated with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/04/boeing-787-dreamliner-gets-cold-tested-in-florida/

    http://urlm.co/g/c/f/163870

    June 13, 2021 at 02:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. Joann Ero

    I don't know about you people but I infatuated with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2011/02/my-review-23-minutes-us-airways-flight-from-phoenix-to-tucson-in-a-crj-900/

    http://urlm.co/g/c/f/163872

    June 13, 2021 at 04:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. Long Schillaci

    I don't know about you all but I infatuated with airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/04/are-spirit-airlines-new-carry-on-fees-really-that-crazy/

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2014/08/call-for-book-proposals-for-our-series.html?showComment=1504866190400

    June 13, 2021 at 17:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Sanford Lemoyne

    I don't know about you guys but I am obsessed with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/10/delta-tech-ops/

    http://beyondnewhorizons.com/tag/multiliteracies-learning-initiative/

    June 13, 2021 at 18:44 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. Desire Scharnberg

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a video game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life articles and blogs

    http://adolit.blogspot.com/2007/10/past-is-present-again.html

    June 14, 2021 at 20:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Steven Meury

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2006/03/and-winners-are.html?showComment=1142338740000

    June 15, 2021 at 05:05 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. Daryl Spoerl

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a video game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life articles and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2005/02/i-pod-therefore-i-am.html?m=0

    June 18, 2021 at 11:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. Tresa Kana

    Hi, check this product that can help to take care of your hair: https://bit.ly/3gJqhQH

    https://bit.ly/3gJqhQH

    June 20, 2021 at 07:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. Pamelia Daugereau

    Great articles. Thank you for the information butterfly spanish alphabet

    https://www.spanishtogo.app

    June 25, 2021 at 12:55 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2

Post a comment


 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.