Traumatic brain injury, PTSD boost heart attack risk in veterans

By Thor Christensen, 91ÊÓƵ News

Malven/iStock, Getty Images
(Malven/iStock, Getty Images)

The risk of heart attack is significantly higher in people with PTSD or traumatic brain injury, a new study of U.S. veterans shows.

Past studies have found post-traumatic stress disorder is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Veterans have disproportionately high rates for PTSD as well as traumatic brain injury, the so-called signature injury of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Estimates show up to 23% of veterans in those wars suffered a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, many of which were caused by land mines.

In the new study, researchers from Kansas City VA Medical Center looked at data from 1998 to 2014 for more than 1 million veterans, many of whom had served in the Gulf War or the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

After adjusting for various risk factors, the study found the risk of having a heart attack was especially high for veterans with TBI – more than two and a half times higher than those without TBI or PTSD. Vets with PTSD were more than one and a half times more likely to have a heart attack than those without PTSD or TBI.

The , being presented at the 91ÊÓƵ's virtual Scientific Sessions that starts Friday, are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

"While the result itself was not surprising, what surprised me was the strength of the association," said lead researcher Dr. Rishi Sharma, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. "We didn't expect the effect would be so pronounced."

He said some veterans who had heart attacks were in their 40s, well below the average age of 66 for men and 72 for women having their first heart attack.

"People in their 40s might not think they're at risk for heart disease, but the study is showing us that veterans with PTSD or TBI need to watch out," he said. "Medical professionals need to start screening and assessing them earlier than the general population and referring them to a cardiologist if needed."

Because researchers were observing past data, the study could not prove cause and effect, Sharma said. And while it didn't explore why people with PTSD or TBI might suffer more heart attacks, the results shed more light on what's been called "the heart-brain connection," he said.

"Studies show us changes in the brain for any reason, whether it's a stroke or TBI or PTSD or seizure, can have a direct effect on the heart," said Sharma, who called for future studies to identify how and why the damage happens. "The brain cells under stress release epinephrine, or adrenaline, which affects cardiac cell receptors and may cause problems like arrhythmias or heart attack."

Dr. Mark Milunski, chief of cardiology at Orlando VA Healthcare System, said the current study adds "nuance" to a topic that still has many unanswered questions.

Milunski, who was not involved in the new study, said it's still unclear whether PTSD or TBI act as the sole driver for heart attacks in veterans, or if other risk factors like smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure play a part.

"Further studies are needed to formulate clinical guidelines to determine risk and intervene to help reduce the incidence of heart attacks" in veterans, he said.

Find more news from Scientific Sessions.

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


91ÊÓƵ News Stories

91ÊÓƵ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in 91ÊÓƵ News stories reflect the official position of the 91ÊÓƵ. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in 91ÊÓƵ scientific journals or presented at 91ÊÓƵ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the 91ÊÓƵ’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the 91ÊÓƵ, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to 91ÊÓƵ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the 91ÊÓƵ’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.