Patients with mental distress after MI likely to have PTSD, finds study
A recent cross-sectional epidemiological study sheds light on a concerning trend among individuals who have experienced myocardial infarction (MI). The research, conducted as part of the Tromsø Study, aimed to investigate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among patients following a confirmed diagnosis of myocardial infarction and explore the relationship between PTSD symptoms and exposure to traumatic events.
This study was published in the journal BMC Psychiatry by Geir Fagerjord Lorem and colleagues. The study, encompassing a sample of 79 participants who had experienced myocardial infarction, unveiled a noteworthy discovery: 11.6% of these individuals exhibited symptoms indicative of probable PTSD. This prevalence was notably higher than what is typically postulated for the general population in Norway, marking a statistically significant difference.
Interestingly, the research didn’t establish a direct correlation between myocardial infarction as an illness trauma and the severity of PTSD symptoms. However, an intriguing pattern emerged concerning the association between PTSD symptom severity and lifetime exposure to traumatic events. As the number of traumatic events experienced by individuals increased, a proportional rise in symptom severity was observed.
The findings highlight a crucial aspect: anxiety or depression symptoms experienced by myocardial infarction patients might be secondary manifestations of PTSD rather than direct consequences of the cardiac event itself. This emphasises the importance for clinicians to be vigilant in their assessment of post-MI patients, considering the potential for underlying PTSD-related symptoms.
While this study offers valuable insights, the interaction between myocardial infarction and PTSD requires more extensive exploration. Future research endeavours are crucial to deepen our understanding of how these conditions intersect and influence each other. Such investigations could pave the way for more targeted and effective interventions aimed at improving the mental well-being of individuals recovering from myocardial infarction.
Reference:
Lorem, G. F., Næss, E. T., Løchen, M.-L., Lillevoll, K., Molund, E.-M., Rösner, A., Lindkvist, S., & Schirmer, H. Post-traumatic stress disorder among heart disease patients: a clinical follow-up of individuals with myocardial infarction in the Tromsø Study. BMC Psychiatry,2023;23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05431-2
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