CPTSD -> Hypertension -> Stroke

[jay5r]

A new study came out that being diagnosed with hypertension before the age of 35 leads to triple the risk of stroke (double the risk if diagnosed 35-44).

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/hypertension-before-35-tied-triple-stroke-risk-midlife-2024a10002bn

The study only looked at African American women. In the discussion of the findings they noted...

/...one of the contributing factors that may increase the risk for Black women is their disproportionate experience of psychosocial stressors and chronic cumulative stress.

"Psychosocial stressors and chronic cumulative stress" (at a relatively young age) is pretty much the definition of having CPTSD or being at high risk for it.

I'm a white guy, but it all fits for me... And unfortunately I had a stroke last year (age 55).

If you have CPTSD plus other risk factors for stroke (family history, etc.) definitely look into ways you can reduce your stroke risk. Even minor strokes can result in long-term problems.

[And yes, there are other studies that have shown a relationship between PTSD and stroke, but many of those studies are with people in the military - so "regular" PTSD, not CPTSD. Those studies have shown a much lower correlation in the neighborhood of 136% relative risk instead of 300%. It's notable that CPTSD type scenarios are associated with much worse outcomes.]

And... the Medscape article makes it sound like the full article / study details should be available soon - after it's presented at a conference.

[Papa Coco]

Interesting.

As a boy I wasn't allowed to ever express anger. Family would laugh at me or humiliate me if I ever got angry. Good old Mom used to tell me, "You're GOING to die of a stroke!" This was scary for a 9-year-old, but she planted that in my head, and at 63, I still fully expect it to be what eventually does me in.

Holding back anger does create a lot of pressure inside my chest and head, not to mention how it ravages my stomach and muscles.

[Kizzie]

And this is the reason physicians need to take a more complete history on patients that includes a trauma background.  If patients report having experienced  Complex Trauma doctors can educate them about the physical impacts of ongoing and traumatic stress, steer them toward making changes as early on as possible, and track their labs more closely.

The other way to go about this I suppose given not too many doctors are familiar with Complex Trauma is to educate them by taking in information (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56983ac169492ecf0c7dc1c7/t/5d18ec0bf5cd48000197dc80/1561914381306/BKF+Fact+Sheet+for+GPs.pdf, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56983ac169492ecf0c7dc1c7/t/5d18ec2a5beea400010a03f4/1561914412920/BKF+Fact+Sheet+for+Health+Practitioners.pdf, and https://www.outofthestorm.website/comorbidities-physical),  and telling the doc whether they ask or not. We need their attention and treatment as much as we need psychological attention and treatment.