Metabolic, autonomic and immune markers for cardiovascular disease in PTSD

Author(s)

Jeffrey L. KiblerFollow
Mischa Tursich, University of Western Ontario
Mindy M. Ma, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

World Journal of Cardiology

ISSN

1949-8462

Publication Date

6-26-2014

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with significantly greater incidence of heart disease. Numerous studies have indicated that health problems for individuals with PTSD occur earlier in life than in the general population. Multiple mechanistic pathways have been suggested to explain cardiovascular disese (CVD) risk in PTSD, including neurochemical, behavioral, and immunological changes. The present paper is a review of recent research that examines cardiovascular and immune risk profiles of individuals with PTSD. First, we address the relatively new evidence that the constellation of risk factors commonly experienced in PTSD fits the profile of metabolic syndrome. Next we examine the findings concerning hypertension/blood pressure in particular. The literature on sympathetic and parasympathetic responsivity in PTSD is reviewed. Last, we discuss recent findings concerning immune functioning in PTSD that may have a bearing on the high rates of CVD and other illnesses. Our primary goal is to synthesize the existing literature by examining factors that overlap mechanistically to increase the risk of developing CVD in PTSD.

DOI

10.4330/wjc.v6.i6.455

Volume

6

Issue

6

First Page

455

Last Page

461

NSUWorks Citation

Kibler, J. L., Tursich, M., Ma, M. M. (2014). Metabolic, autonomic and immune markers for cardiovascular disease in PTSD. World Journal of Cardiology, 6(6), 455-461.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/941