---
title: "Psych News Alert: Acute Coronary Syndromes Can Induce PTSD"
description: "It's a vicious cycle: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS; myocardial infarction or unstable angina) can induce posttraumatic stress disorder ..."
---

[Psych News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org)

# [Psych News Alert: Acute Coronary Syndromes Can Induce PTSD](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/06/acute-coronary-syndromes-can-induce-ptsd.html)

 Written by [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) | 6/21/12 4:00 AM

| <https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/heartattack_37090774-Jun-24-2025-07-17-32-3985-PM.jpg> |  |
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It's a vicious cycle: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS; myocardial infarction or unstable angina) can induce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ACS-induced PTSD may increase patients' risk for subsequent cardiac events and mortality. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center published the results of their meta-analysis of studies that reported a valid estimate of the prevalence of ACS-induced PTSD, seeking to shed light on the "under-diagnosis" of PTSD cases in cardiology practice.

"Our analyses indicated that ACS-induced PTSD symptoms are associated with an approximate doubling of risk for recurrent cardiac events or mortality," they said, noting that ACS is a traumatic event for many, and ACS-induced PTSD is relatively common. They said their results identify areas requiring further research, including studies testing treatments for ACS-induced PTSD.

A *DSM-5* work group is proposing to remove PTSD from the anxiety disorders chapter and include it in a chapter for conditions arising from an adverse event that precedes symptom onset. Read more about the proposed change in *Psychiatric News*, [here](http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=1096604).

(Image Charles B. Ming Onn/Shutterstock.com)

[View full post](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/06/acute-coronary-syndromes-can-induce-ptsd.html)

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