Post-traumatic stress disorder: When fear strikes the heart
Over the course of a lifetime, many people directly experience or witness harrowing events. These include serious car accidents, violent personal trauma (including sexual assault), natural or human-made disasters, and military combat. Life-threatening health conditions — such as a sudden cardiac arrest, a devastating stroke, or any illness that requires a prolonged stay in the ICU — can also leave people traumatized.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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