Cardiovascular disease knowledge, risk factors, and resilience among US veterans with and without post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of hospitalization and disability among the US veterans. Information about CVD knowledge and risk factors, and connection between psychological health and CVD among veterans transitioning from the military are limited. Purpose: We examined the existing knowledge of CVD and its risk factors among the US veterans with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the relationship between knowledge, risk factors, resilience, and PTSD. Methods: A total of 104 veterans participated in our study by responding to the Primary Care PTSD Screen for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ) knowledge scale, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10. Data were extracted from the online Qualtrics survey software into SPSS (v. 25) for analysis. Results: Mean age was 52.3 years, mostly males (85.6%), married (72.1%), employed (54.8%), and with college education. Most were in the Navy or Air Force (72.1%) and served in a war (68.0%). Hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity were the most common CVD risk factors reported. Average CVD knowledge score was 85%. Marines scored higher on resilience than other branches of the military. Seventeen percent reported having PTSD. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 was significantly correlated with the HDFQ in the probable PTSD group (r = .589, p = .013). Implications for practice: Our study provides information about the knowledge and risk factors of CVD among veterans and insights about interventions needed to improve CV health. Nurse practitioners should assess the CV and psychological health of veterans and screen for PTSD to provide appropriate care and referral.

Post-9/11 veterans’ heart disease knowledge, self-perceived risk, and prevention beliefs and behaviors.

“…Although men and women veterans show a higher risk for heart disease than nonveterans (Hoerster et al, 2012; Lehavot et al, 2012), only a few small studies have examined their heart disease awareness and self-perceived risk, or if women veterans differ from their male counterparts. One sample of 104 veterans aged 35 years and older (14% women), scored an average of 85% on the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire, indicating “adequate” knowledge of heart disease, but with no difference by sex (Angosta et al, 2021). Another study of 162 women veterans aged 45–85 who had a moderate or high risk of heart disease found low levels of knowledge and awareness of heart disease, and of risk factors for, and health consequences of heart disease (Canter et al, 2009).…”

Irisin: A New Code Uncover the Relationship of Skeletal Muscle and Cardiovascular Health During Exercise

“…Excessive accumulation of fat, high cholesterol, and metabolism disorders are prone to cause cardiovascular diseases ( Angosta et al, 2020 ). While circulating irisin concentrations are negatively correlated with risk factors of cardiovascular health, such as hyperglycaemia, triglycerides, visceral adiposity, and extramyocellular lipid deposition ( Kurdiova et al, 2014 ).…”