title: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Cardiac Patients: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Considerations for Assessment and Treatment.
abstract: There is increasing awareness of the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on physical health, particularly cardiovascular disease. We review the literature on the role of trauma in the development of cardiovascular risk factors and disease, aftermath of a cardiac event, and risk for recurrence in cardiac patients. We explore possible mechanisms to explain these relationships, as well as appropriate assessment and treatment strategies for this population. Our main conclusion is that screening and referral for appropriate treatments are important given the high prevalence rates of PTSD in cardiac populations and the associated impact on morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4W7, Canada. hetulloch@ottawaheart.ca.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tulloch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Quebec, J8X 3X7, Canada. Paul.Greenman@uqo.ca.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Greenman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Quebec, J8X 3X7, Canada. tasv01@uqo.ca.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tassé