Can PTSD cause heart disease and hypothyroidism?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 34-year-old male currently being assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which I have likely had since childhood but only recently sought help for. Over the past 20 years, I have lived in a constant state of stress due to flashbacks, nightmares, and social anxiety. Recently, my symptoms have worsened, affecting my daily life and work. My general practitioner (GP) prescribed 50 milligrams of Sertraline and referred me for further evaluation. In addition to PTSD, I have been experiencing fatigue, hair loss, and brain fog for the past few years. Blood tests revealed subclinical hypothyroidism, with a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of 21.8 and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies of 1300. I am now taking 125 micrograms (mcg) of Levothyroxine. At 29, in 2019, I suffered an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attack. No clear cause was identified, leading to a diagnosis of heart disease. I am currently on Aspirin, Ramipril, and Atorvastatin, and I use a Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray when needed. Given my long history of untreated PTSD and chronic stress, could this have contributed to my heart disease and hypothyroidism? I continue to feel constantly stressed, even at home. I would appreciate your insights on whether these conditions are connected.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

There is a strong connection between chronic stress from PTSD, heart disease, and hypothyroidism. Long-term stress can significantly impact your body in multiple ways. Let me explain further:

PTSD and heart disease: PTSD keeps your body in a prolonged "fight or flight" state, increasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation, and damage to blood vessels, all of which raise the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
PTSD and hypothyroidism: Chronic stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates hormones. Elevated cortisol levels from prolonged stress can suppress thyroid function, leading to hypothyroidism. Additionally, your high TPO antibodies (1300) indicate Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that stress can trigger or worsen.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.