%0 Journal Article
%T PTSD symptoms associated with myocardial infarction: practical clinical implications
%A Bruce Lawford
%A David Colquhoun
%A Joanne Voisey
%A Ross Young
%A Wole Akosile
%J Australasian Psychiatry
%@ 1440-1665
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/1039856217734738
%X Several studies have demonstrated a link between post-traumatic stress disorder and myocardial infarction. We aim to determine what phenotypic features or symptom profile associated with cardiovascular disease may help with early detection and intervention. This is a cross-sectional study. The study population comprises trauma-exposed Vietnam War veterans. Variables significantly associated with myocardial infarction from the bivariate analysis were avoidance memories, avoidance reminders and sleep disturbance. These variables were put into a logistic regression with known risk factors for myocardial infarction. Only sleep disturbance retained its effect, with a p-value of 0.015. It is concluded that sleep disturbance may be a modifiable risk factor in the treatment and prevention of myocardial infarction
%K PTSD
%K sleep
%K avoidance
%K myocardial infarction
%K cardiovascular disease
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1039856217734738