Northwestern Medicine - Empower Health

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND fear are normal parts of healing following a cardiac event. In individuals with PTSD, however, the fear of a recurring event is strong enough to become all-encompassing and debilitating. In recent studies, 12 percent of heart attack survivors and 23 percent of stroke survivors developed PTSD. PTSD CAUSES A VARIETY OF SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING: � Avoidance of items and places that remind individuals of the traumatic event � Depression, guilt, and loss of interest in favorite activities � Flashbacks to the event, nightmares, or recurring disturbing thoughts "Traumatic events, like all experiences, create a lasting impression in the memory," says Jennifer Lindskog, PsyD, of KishHealth System Behavioral Health Services. "However, with appropriate treatment and support, survivors of trauma have the opportunity to diminish the memory's power to create a negative impact in their lives." Managing PTSD is crucial to wellness following a heart attack or stroke, so ask your doctor about possible symptoms and ways to help. Heart Attack, Stroke—and PTSD? ANXIETY FOLLOWING A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE THAT BECOMES SEVERE ENOUGH TO AFFECT A SURVIVOR'S ABILITY TO LEAD A NORMAL LIFE COULD INDICATE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD). With help, most individuals can gain control of the fear and anxiety associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Common treatments include talk therapy and use of antidepressant medication. "Treatment often allows survivors to reestablish a sense of control over their experiences and observe their own capacity for strength and resiliency," says Lindskog. Reasons for Hope KishHealth System Behavioral Health Services can help you cope with PTSD. Call 815.748.8334 (Sycamore) or 815.786.3764 (Sandwich) today. KISHHEARTHEALTH.ORG Cardiac Rehab offered in DeKalb and Sandwich includes medically supervised exercise, individualized goal setting, lifestyle modification and education for those with heart and respiratory illness. ⁄ FAL L 1 4 15

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