Ambulatory cardiovascular activity in Vietnam combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder

The present study investigated the relationship between daily diary affect ratings and ambulatory cardiovascular activity in 117 male Vietnam combat v eterans (61 with posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and 56 without PTSD). Participants completed 12-14 hr of ambulatory monitoring and daily diary a ffect ratings. Compared with veterans without PTSD, veterans with PTSD repo rted higher negative affect and lower positive affect in daily diary rating s. No differences were detected for mean laboratory initial recordings or m ean ambulatory heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). However, compared with veterans without PTSD, vetera ns with PTSD demonstrated higher SEP and DBP variability and a higher propo rtion of HR activity (compared with initial recording values) during daily activity. There was a significant Time of Day x Group interaction for mean NR, with a trend for PTSD participants to maintain HR levels during evening hours.