Posttraumatic stress disorder is strongly linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with autonomic dysfunction, inflammation, and the renin-angiotensin system acting as potential mediators.
PTSD is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, mediated by autonomic dysfunction, inflammation, and the renin-angiotensin system.
Stress- and anxiety-related disorders are on the rise in both military and general populations. Over the next decade, it is predicted that treatment of these conditions, in particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with its associated long-term comorbidities, will challenge the health care system. Multiple organ systems are adversely affected by PTSD, and PTSD is linked to cancer, arthritis, digestive disease, and cardiovascular disease. Evidence for a strong link between PTSD and cardiovascular disease is compelling, and this review describes current clinical data linking PTSD to cardiovascular disease, via inflammation, autonomic dysfunction, and the renin-angiotensin system. Recent clinical and preclinical evidence regarding the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the extinction of fear memory and relevance in PTSD-related immune and autonomic dysfunction is also addressed.
Brudey et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease. Posttraumatic stress disorder is strongly linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with autonomic dysfunction, inflammation, and the renin-angiotensin system acting as potential mediators.