Associations Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression and Cardiovascular Risk Health Behaviors Among Women Veterans: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Background: Women veterans experience high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, both of which are linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Understanding the relationship between these mental health conditions and cardiovascular risk health behaviors is crucial for targeted interventions.

Objective: We examined existing literature for associations among PTSD, depression, and cardiovascular risk health behaviors-specifically alcohol use, cigarette smoking, diet, and physical activity-among women veterans.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across EMBASE, CINAHL, and PubMed for studies published from 2016 to October 2024 examining PTSD and/or depression and cardiovascular risk health behaviors (alcohol use, cigarette smoking, diet, and physical activity). Studies were included if they assessed the prevalence or severity of PTSD and/or depression and associations with one of the defined cardiovascular risk health behaviors.

Results: A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed (four articles related to alcohol use, four articles related to diet, two related to cigarette smoking, and one related to physical activity). Most studies examined the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veteran population (75%), five studies used national Department of Veterans Affairs cohort studies (50%), and only three studies sampled from women-only veterans (25%). Among the 11 included articles, there is some evidence linking PTSD and depression to risky cardiovascular risk health behaviors in women veterans, although variability in study designs and outcome measures limits direct comparisons.

Conclusion: The existing literature demonstrates associations between PTSD and depression and adverse cardiovascular risk health behaviors among women veterans, necessitating further research to standardize methodologies and develop targeted interventions that mitigate cardiovascular risk in this population.