A new study reveals that adults diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 3 years of a traumatic event face a higher risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death. Alcohol abuse emerged as the strongest predictor of these outcomes in both men and women, highlighting a critical area for intervention.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research analyzed data from 219,866 Danish adults aged 18 and older between 1995 and 2019. Of these, 43,994 experienced cardiovascular events such as nonfatal heart attacks, nonfatal strokes, procedures to restore blood flow to the heart, or cardiovascular death during the 24-year study window. The remaining 175,872 faced trauma without such outcomes. The study, published online September 2, 2026 (doi:10.1161/JAHA.126.049492), shows the link between trauma-related psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular risk.
Alcohol Abuse Outranks PTSD in Cardiovascular Risk
Using a matched case-control design, the researchers paired each case with up to 4 trauma-exposed controls of the same sex and age. Machine learning identified the 15 strongest predictors of cardiovascular outcomes among psychiatric diagnoses made within 3 years of trauma. Alcohol abuse consistently topped the list for both sexes, surpassing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the condition most studied in this context. The authors suggest this reflects how individuals cope with trauma, often turning to alcohol to manage emotions, which can escalate into abuse over time.
Mood Disorders Impact Women More
Mood disorders like depression also strongly predicted cardiovascular events, with a more pronounced association in women. This sex-specific difference highlights the need for tailored interventions. Other conditions linked to higher risk included PTSD, disorders attributed to physical illness, substance use disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.
The findings align with broader American Heart Association (AHA) guidance connecting psychological distress to heart disease. A 2025 AHA scientific statement (doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001381) highlighted that up to half of heart attack survivors experience psychological distress, increasing future cardiac event risk. The statement emphasizes the importance of screening and treating psychological distress in cardiac patients to improve outcomes.
The study’s reliance on Denmark’s universal healthcare system may limit its generalizability to other countries. Additionally, the analysis did not explore the mechanisms linking psychiatric conditions to cardiovascular risk, calling for further research. The authors stress that understanding these mechanisms is key for developing effective interventions.
