Key result
Chronic PTSD in male veterans was associated with higher resting heart rate and greater blood pressure reactivity during affective distress compared to those without PTSD.
Why the study?
Does chronic PTSD affect 24-hr ambulatory heart rate and blood pressure in male veterans?
Observational (n=36)
Does chronic PTSD affect 24-hr ambulatory heart rate and blood pressure in male veterans?
Veterans with chronic PTSD exhibit altered autonomic cardiovascular regulation, characterized by higher resting heart rate and exaggerated blood pressure reactivity to distress.
Supports autonomic dysregulation in chronic PTSD veterans; leaves open 24-hr ambulatory effects and need for prospective confirmation.
This study examined 24-hr levels of ambulatory heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in 2 groups of male veterans: 19 with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 17 who never met criteria for PTSD. The relationships between diagnostic status, basal cardiovascular activity, and cardiovascular reactivity to stress were examined. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed that the PTSD group had higher resting HR than the non-PTSD group. Moreover, the PTSD group showed greater BP reactivity during times of affective distress than the non-PTSD group. The health care implications of these findings are discussed, as are directions for future research.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Buckley et al. (2004) conducted an observational in Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n=36). Chronic PTSD vs. Non-PTSD was evaluated on 24-hour ambulatory heart rate and blood pressure. Chronic PTSD in male veterans was associated with higher resting heart rate and greater blood pressure reactivity during affective distress compared to those without PTSD.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: