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Ambulatory monitoring and physical health report in Vietnam veterans with and without chronic posttraumatic stress disorder
Author(s) -
Beckham Jean C.,
Taft Casey T.,
Vrana Scott R.,
Feldman Michelle E.,
Barefoot John C.,
Moore Scott D.,
Mozley Susannah L.,
Butterfield Marian I.,
Calhoun Patrick S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1023/a:1024457700599
Subject(s) - ambulatory , medicine , heart rate , ambulatory blood pressure , blood pressure , physical health , posttraumatic stress , mental health , psychiatry , clinical psychology
This study investigated the associations among PTSD, ambulatory cardiovascular monitoring, and physical health self‐reports in 117 male Vietnam combat veterans (61 with PTSD and 56 without PTSD). PTSD was associated with health symptoms and number of current health conditions beyond the influence of several covariates. PTSD was associated with greater systolic blood pressure variability, and an elevated percentage of heart rate and systolic blood pressure readings above baseline. Higher mean heart rate and an elevated percentage of heart rate above baseline were associated with physical health symptoms. None of the ambulatory monitoring variables mediated the association between PTSD and physical health outcomes. Findings suggest that the interrelationships among ambulatory autonomic responses, PTSD, and physical health deserve more research attention.