Publications by authors named "Kelsey C Vaca"
Article Synopsis
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of heart attacks that may lead to significant emotional distress in patients.
- Preliminary research indicates that a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based support group can help address anxiety and depression in SCAD patients.
- In this small pilot study, most participants showed reduced anxiety and improved depressive symptoms after the intervention, suggesting that psychosocial support may be beneficial for SCAD survivors.
Purpose: High rates of depression and anxiety are reported among patients who have experienced spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) but the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate symptoms of PTSD in women who have experienced SCAD.
Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study included 14 female SCAD patients, mean age of 51 yr, who responded to standardized psychosocial questionnaires at a median of 35 mo post-SCAD.