Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Jun 26, 2014; 6(6): 455-461
Published online Jun 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i6.455
Published online Jun 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i6.455
Metabolic, autonomic and immune markers for cardiovascular disease in posttraumatic stress disorder
Jeffrey L Kibler, Lydia Malcolm, Rachel Greenbarg, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, United States
Mischa Tursich, Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
Mindy Ma, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, United States
Author contributions: Kibler JL organized and edited the paper, in addition to the primary writing responsibility; Tursich M, Ma M, Malcolm L, and Greenbarg R wrote sections of the paper and reviewed/edited.
Correspondence to: Jeffrey L Kibler, PhD, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, United States. kibler@nova.edu
Telephone: +1-954-2625879 Fax: +1-954-2623857
Received: December 26, 2013
Revised: February 8, 2014
Accepted: April 9, 2014
Published online: June 26, 2014
Revised: February 8, 2014
Accepted: April 9, 2014
Published online: June 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Research has documented a significantly increased cardiovascular disese (CVD) risk in posttrauamtic stress disorder. The present paper is a review of recent research that examines cardiovascular and immune risk profiles of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First, we address the relatively new evidence that the risk factors commonly experienced in PTSD fit the profile of metabolic syndrome. Next we examine the findings concerning hypertension/blood pressure in particular. The literature on sympathetic and parasympathetic responsivity in PTSD is reviewed. Last, we discuss recent findings concerning immune functioning in PTSD that may have a bearing on the high rates of CVD and other illnesses.