Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in patients who have had a myocardial infarction.
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risk factors for recurrent ischemia were evaluated in 65 survivors of a myocardial infarction (MI) at baseline and 6 months afterward. PTSD patients had more uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. Patients with PTSD (N=14) were offered trauma-focused cognitive-behavior treatment (CBT) plus a nonspecific intervention to improve adherence to medical recommendations. Adherence to aspirin improved in recipients of the nonspecific intervention (N=8); PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular risk improved in patients who received CBT (N=6). PTSD may be a treatable risk factor for poor post-MI outcome. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment options.
Shemesh
Eyal
E
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Box 1230, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. eyal.shemesh@mssm.edu
Koren-Michowitz
Maya
M
Yehuda
Rachel
R
Milo-Cotter
Olga
O
Murdock
Elmer
E
Vered
Zvi
Z
Shneider
Benjamin L
BL
Gorman
Jack M
JM
Cotter
Gad
G