Research Shows Women's Mental Health & Heart Health Are Inextricably Linked

What do you think of when you hear the words "heart disease"? What about "post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)"? Popular culture most often shows us images of men clutching their chests or male soldiers returning home from war.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among U.S. women. Nearly half (45%) of women in this country will develop it in their lifetime—though less than half of them are aware of its prevalence.

PTSD gained widespread recognition and a spot in the DSM when veterans returned traumatized from the Vietnam War. But today, American women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to suffer from PTSD—a fact experts attribute to a combination of biological sex differences and higher rates of sexual trauma among women. 

Previous research has linked the two conditions, suggesting PTSD heightens one's risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia (which women experience at nearly twice the rate of men, with rates growing). However, this research was largely conducted on men. Noticing a theme?

The study included 274 women ages 45 to 67 who underwent blood tests, brain imaging, genetic testing, evaluations for PTSD and cognitive function, and more.

Researchers found that women with greater PTSD symptoms had higher carotid IMT, a metric for describing how thick certain layers of the carotid arteries are. The finding is significant because carotid IMT is associated with heart disease and can be used to assess heart health more broadly.

These findings can seem bleak, suggesting that one disease automatically leads to another. But with more knowledge about who's at risk, we can better tailor our prevention strategies. Of course, if you suspect you're struggling with PTSD, it's best to talk to your doctor about what treatment is right for you.

A new study shines light on the connection between three conditions impacting millions of women: PTSD, heart disease, and dementia. Findings suggest women who experience more symptoms of PTSD have higher carotid IMT, a measure of heart disease risk. In women who are APOEε4, carriers, increased PTSD symptoms were associated with more signs of cognitive decline.