Investigating how PTSD treatments affect heart disease risk

Evidence-based Treatment for PTSD and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11028141

This study is looking at how different treatments for PTSD might help lower the chances of heart problems in veterans, using health records from over 2 million people to see which therapies work best.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11028141 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). By utilizing a comprehensive database of over 2 million veterans, the study will analyze electronic health records to assess the effectiveness of evidence-based psychotherapies and antidepressants in reducing CVD incidence and mortality among PTSD patients. The approach includes advanced data analysis techniques and natural language processing to evaluate treatment outcomes and health impacts over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with PTSD who are receiving treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have PTSD or those who are not veterans may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that not only alleviate PTSD symptoms but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in affected individuals.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that effective PTSD treatments can improve overall health outcomes, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions cardiac disease prevention
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.