Some inconsistent evidence indicates experiences of trauma and the presence of symptoms of PTSD are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. This relation has rarely been explored with community samples including participants with PTSD symptoms or who fulfill criteria for PTSD disorders.

We identify those with a high number of PTSD symptoms and those fulfilling criteria for PTSD are more likely to have CVD than those without a PTSD syndrome or diagnosis. We examine rates of mental health access for those with PTSD and CVD.

We use Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES) to examine differences in trauma/PTSD prevalence and the association of prior trauma exposure and PTSD diagnoses with CVD (n = 13,286). CIDI was used to make psychiatric diagnoses and medical data was acquired regarding onset and severity of CVD.

Individuals with prior exposure to trauma and PTSD diagnoses had twice the likelihood of developing a cardiovascular disease as those without trauma exposure [OR = 1.77, 95% CI (1.0, 2.94)]. Having a PTSD diagnosis is a significant predictor of having a CVD for individuals who experienced a traumatic event.

The probability of developing a CVD was higher when patients had prior diagnosis of substance abuse [OR = 1.36, 95% CI (1.11, 1.65)] or mental health disorders [OR = 1.43, 95% CI (1.10, 1.87) for depression; OR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.04, 1.69) for anxiety]. Men were almost twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with a CVD [OR = 1.67, 95% CI (1.37, 2.00)].

Exposure to trauma and the presence of PTSD symptoms are significantly associated with CVD.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.