Post-traumatic stress disorder affects many combat veterans and disaster survivors. Now a new study shows heart attack survivors may also struggle with PTSD. Researchers say the anxiety disorder could set them up for another heart crisis.
A heart attack can be terrifying. Suddenly your life is on the line and you don't know if you're going to survive. Columbia University Medical Center looked at the data from two dozen studies of heart attack survivors and they found one in eight may be suffering from signs of PTSD.
Researchers found that 12 percent of heart attack or cardiac event survivors experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and 4 percent fit the technical definition of PTSD. This means survivors may go through the same nightmares, anxiety, and flashbacks combat veterans and survivors of violence and rape can experience.
Dr. Laurence Sperling, Director of the Center for Heart Disease Prevention at the Emory Clinic, says the new findings make sense because heart survivors go through their own traumas.
"I think to extend the patients, to have had a life event, a shocking life event life event, I think that's an important step to making more physicians and healthcare providers aware of the impact of emotion on the heart," said Dr. Sperling.
As many as 20 percent of heart attack survivors experience depression and anxiety. Sperling says both can affect a patient's recovery.
"In our clinics, we actually do a depression screening questionnaire. And it's not because I want to be a psychiatrist, it's because we recognize depression is a very powerful heart risk factor, in the way that smoking is, or diabetes," said Sperling.
Researchers found PTSD can double a survivor's risk of cardiac arrest and dying in the three years after the initial event.
So, while emotional ups and downs are common, long-term changes may be a signal life is not getting back to normal.
However, there are ways to treat depression and PTSD. If you're concerned you're not bouncing back or you're having trouble functioning, talk to your cardiologist.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:24 GMT
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Monday, May 20 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:03:26 GMT
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Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
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Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
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Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
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Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:09:40 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 9:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:27:50 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:44:55 GMT
It's graduation season AND it's also #ThrowbackThursday, so what better time to go back to the archives? Today's victim: the one and only Buck Lanford.
It's graduation season AND it's also #ThrowbackThursday, so what better time to go back to the archives? Today's victim: the one and only Buck Lanford. He agreed to take us back to his senior year at South Gwinnett High School-- and somebody had a WHOLE LOT of hair!
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:31:33 GMT
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale?
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale? Good Day's Tacoma Perry talked to an expert who shared some great tips for how to make your yard sale a huge hit.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
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A new study shows heart attack survivors may also struggle with PTSD.
