Key result
Cardiac disease-induced PTSD is a distinct clinical entity associated with a 53% increased risk of recurrent cardiac events and increased mortality in the first 3 years after the initial event.
Why the study?
To provide an update of the current evidence of cardiac disease-induced posttraumatic stress disorder, with a focus on acute coronary events.
Cardiac disease-induced PTSD is a distinct clinical entity that significantly increases the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, highlighting the need for targeted screening and trauma-focused psychological interventions.
May warrant PTSD assessment after acute coronary events; extends CDI-PTSD evidence while leaving management strategies open.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an update of the current evidence of cardiac disease-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (CDI-PTSD) with a focus on acute coronary events. RECENT FINDINGS: A cardiovascular disease, particularly a life-threatening cardiac event is often a highly stressful experience that can induce PTSD in patients and their caregivers, taking a chronic course if left untreated. There are several features distinguishing CDI-PTSD from "traditional" PTSD induced by external trauma, namely enduring somatic threat, inability to avoid trauma-related cues and hyperarousal with internal body sensations leading to constant fear of recurrent cardiac events. An increased risk of recurrent CVD events may be explained by pathophysiological changes, an unhealthy lifestyle and non-adherence to cardiac treatment. A trauma-focused approach might be useful to treat CDI-PTSD. Treatment options for patients and caregivers as well as long-term effects of trauma-focused interventions on physical and mental health outcomes should be future research directions.
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Princip et al. (2023) conducted a review in Cardiac disease-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (CDI-PTSD). Cardiac disease-induced PTSD is a distinct clinical entity associated with a 53% increased risk of recurrent cardiac events and increased mortality in the first 3 years after the initial event.
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