Acute Coronary Syndromes Can Induce PTSD

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.

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