Heart attack PTSD linked with poor sleep

03-06-2013

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a heart attack could be closely linked to poor sleep, a new US study has revealed this week. A team at Columbia University Medical Center analysed data from around heart attack patients, and found a connection between suffering PTSD and various sleep problems, including shorter sleep duration, more disturbances during sleep, requirement for sleeping medication and the effects of sleep deprivation during the day.

It was also found that of the participants who reported sleep problems were more likely to suffer issues during the first month following their heart attack.

The prevalence of PTSD and sleep disorders was higher among women with a high BMI (body mass index) and symptoms of depression. The researchers noted the need for further research to clarify the potential associations between PTSD after a heart attack, related sleep problems and the risks for further heart attacks.