Original Research Prim Care Companion CNS Disord July 2026

Comorbid Cardiovascular Disease and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Older US Veterans: Prevalence, Health Burden, and Functional Impairment

PCC CNS Disord 2026;28(4):10.4088/PCC.26m04187

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. Clinical Summary Older veterans commonly live with either cardiovascular disease or PTSD, but the overlap identifies a small, high-need subgroup with substantially greater psychiatric, medical, cognitive, and psychosocial burden. For clinicians caring for aging veterans, recognizing this comorbidity matters because it signals markedly worse functioning and a need for integrated, trauma-informed management rather than treating cardiac and mental health problems in isolation. FAQ How common is comorbid cardiovascular disease and PTSD in older US veterans?

Key Takeaways In this nationally representative sample of veterans aged 60 years and older, 72 veterans (weighted % =2.2%) had comorbid CVD+PTSD; this small subgroup still translates to approximately 230,000 older veterans nationwide, supporting case-finding in geriatric veteran care. Clinical Guide How should clinicians screen older veterans for co-occurring cardiovascular disease and PTSD in routine care? Clinical Guide How should clinicians evaluate the main medical, psychiatric, cognitive, and functional burdens once an older veteran has both cardiovascular disease and PTSD?