A study headed by Jennifer Summer from the Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, has found that women who suffer from symptoms of trauma have a 60 percent higher chance of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
The study focused on the effects of traumatic events on the human cardiovascular system. A large amount of data suggests than as much as 80 percent of women have experienced traumatic events and at least half of them have one or more symptoms of PTSD.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can originate from a multitude of events, near-death experiences, decease of loved ones, abrupt lifestyle changes and other traumatic developments.
But the chances of suffering from PTSD are also increased by genetic traits , inherited mental risks, personality disorders, and life experiences. The faster the symptoms are detected and treated the easier it is to cure the effects of the syndrome.
PTSD generated anxiety can lead to elevated blood pressure and heart rate which can facilitate the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. The study also found that PTSSD can be associated with increased levels of inflammation in the body.
Tachycardia can disrupt the heart’s function and increases the chance of sudden cardiac arrest, and in combination with increased blood pressure poses serious treats to human health. Increased in blood pressure can weaken the heart muscle and lead to coronary disease.
Another side effect of PTSD can be depression which decreases the chances that the patient will seek medical help or stick to treatment plans.
The researchers evaluated the relations between cardiovascular diseases and the unhealthy behavioral modifications brought on by PTSD.
Some of the treatment methods that help patients recover from PTSD also decrease the chances of cardiac and vascular problems. Exercise , maintaining a healthy diet and socializing with friends and family all have positive impacts on the patients health as well as helping with mental symptoms like depression.
Some reports claim that as many as 50 percent of people who suffer from PTSD do not seek medical advice or treatment. The onset of depression and anxiety is almost guaranteed if the patient does not follow doctor described treatment plans in order to combat PTSD.
The study also found that even women who did not suffer from PTSD but had experienced traumatic events had a 45 percent increased chance if cardiovascular disease.
The National Center for PTSD reports that women are twice more likely to suffer from PTSD and that nearly 8 million Americans suffer from the disease. An estimated 6 million women are at risk of CVD every year only in the U.S and if the study is right only about 3 million will seek treatment.
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