# Effects of Psychological Trauma and Cognitive Appraisals on Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2020 · $40,017

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality disproportionately affect traumatized individuals, likely due to
the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on dysregulated cardiovascular responses to
stress. Individuals with more PTSD symptoms demonstrate more exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to
stress (larger than normal increases in blood pressure and heart rate), a major risk factor for the onset of
cardiovascular diseases. The contributions of PTSD symptoms to exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity
warrant greater scientific and clinical attention considering that a majority of individuals will experience at least
one traumatic event in their lifetime, with most developing at least some PTSD symptoms. While the
association between PTSD symptoms and exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to trauma-related and
physiological stressors has been consistently demonstrated, the influence of PTSD symptoms on
cardiovascular reactivity to psychosocial stressors has not been examined. Repeated exaggerated
cardiovascular responses to psychosocial stress may be a pathway by which PTSD symptoms elevate CVD
onset risk. Further, negative cognitive appraisals may be one mechanism by which PTSD symptoms influence
current cardiovascular reactivity to stress and eventually long-term cardiovascular health. The present study
will examine relationships among PTSD symptoms, cognitive appraisals, and cardiovascular stress reactivity to
accomplish the following aims: (1) Test the effects of PTSD symptoms on exaggerated cardiovascular
reactivity in response to a current psychosocial stressor; (2) Assess whether cognitive appraisals of
stressfulness and threat, in relation to a current psychosocial stressor, are associated with exaggerated
cardiovascular reactivity; (3) Determine whether cognitive appraisals of stressfulness and threat are
mechanisms by which PTSD symptoms affect exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to a current psychosocial
stressor. Using a laboratory stress induction, data will be collected from a sample of 80 adults and analyzed
with correlations, regressions, and mediation analyses. This study supports NHLBI's mission of primary
prevention of cardiovascular disease development by identifying cognitive appraisals as a mechanism whereby
psychological trauma and stress contribute to cardiovascular disease onset. Conducting this study will be part
of an individualized training program focused on cardiovascular behavioral medicine that includes receiving
specialized training in biostatistics, theory and empirical research, cardiovascular reactivity measurement,
professional identity development, scientific writing, and community-engaged research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9859198
- **Project number:** 5F31HL142135-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Sharon Y Lee
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $40,017
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-02 → 2021-01-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9859198

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9859198, Effects of Psychological Trauma and Cognitive Appraisals on Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity (5F31HL142135-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9859198. Licensed CC0.

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