Post-traumatic mental condition may contribute to heart risk, study finds
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that mental health conditions following traumatic events are significant predictors of future cardiovascular disease. Researchers identified alcohol abuse as a primary mental health risk factor for heart and brain conditions in both men and women.
Why it matters
This research underscores the importance of holistic healthcare, suggesting that psychological trauma should be considered a clinical risk factor for heart health.
Mental health conditions that may develop following a traumatic incident could contribute to a higher risk of future cardiovascular issues such as non-fatal heart attack and stroke or a fatal cardiac event, according to new research.
"Traumatic events are common experiences and can include serious fires or explosions, physical assault, transportation accidents, the suicide or death of a loved one, and severe medical illnesses or injuries," lead author Jennifer A Sumner, an associate professor in the department of psychology at the University of California Los Angeles, said.
"Experiencing traumatic events can significantly affect mental health as well as cardiovascular health. Although most work to date has focused on PTSD and cardiovascular health, our research suggests that we should think about a wide range of mental health consequences when looking at cardiovascular disease risk after trauma," Sumner said.
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