AN IN-VIVO ASSESSMENT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL IN POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

The present study measured physiological function (heart rate [HR], systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], sublingual temperature, and respiration rate) in a nonresearch setting-the medical triage area of a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center while patients were awaiting physical examination. Subjects were 32 Vietnam veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 26 Vietnam-era veterans with no combat experience. Results indicated that PTSD veterans had significantly higher HR, SBP, and DBP, but not sublingual temperature or respiration rate. These data support the position that individuals with PTSD do indeed demonstrate higher levels of cardiovascular arousal across settings.