Key result
Depression, PTSD, and medical comorbidities are linked to poorer functioning in older veterans with CVD.
Why the study?
Older U.S. military veterans with cardiovascular disease are at elevated risk for functional decline, prompting examination of sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial correlates of functioning.
Cross-Sectional (n=757)
Psychiatric comorbidities such as major depressive disorder and PTSD are strongly associated with poorer functioning in older veterans with cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for integrated care.
Supports integrated mental health screening in older veterans with CVD; extends prior associations but leaves causal inference open.
Objectives Older U.S. military veterans with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at elevated risk for functional decline. This study examined sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial correlates of overall and domain-specific functioning in this population. Methods Data were drawn from 757 veterans aged ≥60 years with CVD who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Bivariate, multivariable, and relative importance analyses were used to identify key correlates of functioning. Results Poorer overall functioning was most strongly associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), somatic, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and medical comorbidities, whereas greater resilience and positive expectations about aging were associated with better functioning. Domain-specific analyses revealed distinct correlates. Relative importance analyses indicated that MDD, somatic, and PTSD symptoms, resilience, and medical comorbidities accounted for most of the explained variance in overall functioning. Conclusions Findings underscore the importance of integrated care to preserve functioning among older veterans with CVD.
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Yang et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease (n=757). Psychosocial and health factors (e.g., MDD, PTSD, resilience) was evaluated on Overall and domain-specific functioning. Major depressive disorder, somatic and PTSD symptoms, and medical comorbidities were strongly associated with poorer functioning, whereas resilience was associated with better functioning.
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