SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — University of Utah researchers say a study shows post-traumatic stress disorder doesn't just affect war veterans, but it also can cause major problems for their spouses.
University psychology professor Timothy Smith says researchers have known for some time that PTSD places relationships at risk, but the new research shows there also are health risks to partners.
Smith and graduate student Catherine Caska measured the blood pressure and heart rate of veterans and their spouses when the couples discussed intense issues in their relationships such as money and kids.
Smith told KSL (http://bit.ly/WCb7AD ) that they found couples affected by PTSD showed greater increases in blood pressure and heart rate, suggesting the partners may be at similar, if not greater, risk than veterans for health consequences from PTSD.
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Information from: KSL-TV, http://www.ksl.com/
