Mindfulness Therapy Offers Hope for PTSD in Cardiac Arrest Survivors

Sudden cardiac arrest isn’t just one of the leading causes of death in the United States, it’s an effective killer. Only 10 percent of victims survive. That small pool of survivors – about 75,000 people annually – get to walk out of the hospital but run headlong into other challenges. For many of them, the near-death experience can (naturally) trigger posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making it that much harder to adapt to life lived under the constant threat of another cardiac event. Up to a third of cardiac arrest survivors report PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, hypervigilance, and fear of another episode.

Until now, no clinical trials have tested targeted therapies for PTSD in this population. Traditional PTSD treatments, such as exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), have shown some efficacy, but not always.

Since most survivors can’t recall the event – and must live the rest lives knowing another cardiac event isn’t just possible – it’s probable, that the normal exposure techniques might not be the best course of action. As a result, practitioners back in the 1970s developed a different approach. The therapy, dubbed Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy (AMBET), integrates mindfulness, acceptance, and exposure techniques designed for the singular needs of this high-risk group.

Putting AMBET to the Test

A 2023 pilot study examined the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of AMBET for these survivors. The research team recruited 11 patients – between the ages of 36 and 65 – who struggled with comorbid depression, among other health challenges. Most patients also faced physical reminders of their cardiac event, such as implanted cardioverter-defibrillators, which only made things worse.

The AMBET researchers put the trial participants through a series of eight weekly, 90-minute teletherapy sessions, using a video-based format that allowed patients to engage remotely. This helped overcome the normal logistical treatment barriers. The researchers started each session with psychoeducation, which taught the participants about their PTSD and how it threatened their cardiovascular health. The trial participants picked up:

• Mindfulness practices to manage their emotions and regulate stress.
• Exposure exercises tailored to each patient’s specific fears to help them face and work through traumatic memories.

PTSD Results

All but one of the study participants finished all of the sessions. And the results spoke volumes:

• 80 percent of the participants saw a clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms.
• 70 percent met the criteria for full PTSD remission.
• These numbers persisted for three months after the trial wrapped.
• And none of the participants reported worsening symptoms.

Patients also reported improvements in depression and cardiovascular health behaviors, such as increased physical activity and less sedentary time. Measures of mindfulness and body awareness showed significant improvement. As a result, participants reported less anxiety about their physical and (specifically) cardiac health.

What Now?

By addressing both PTSD symptoms and heart-healthy behaviors, AMBET holds promise for reducing PTSD’s long-term cardiovascular risks. The therapy’s focus on mindfulness could contribute to better physiological regulation, potentially counteracting the harmful effects of chronic stress on heart health. Some patients reported that learning to tune into their bodily sensations with mindful awareness, rather than hypervigilant fear, helped them feel more in control.

To confirm AMBET’s efficacy, future research should involve larger trials with randomized control groups. It should also take a close look at the therapy’s long-term impact on both PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular health. Additionally, insights from this pilot suggest that some patients might benefit from longer treatment.

The need for specialized PTSD treatments in cardiac arrest survivors is pressing, especially considering their high-risk status. AMBET offers a promising solution. Its blend of mindfulness and exposure techniques is a unique approach that meets the distinct needs of this group. If subsequent research confirms these findings, AMBET could emerge as an essential therapy for reducing PTSD in cardiac arrest survivors.

Further Reading

Trauma Appears To Alter How We Process Memories

Researchers Identify Variables Driving PTSD in Traumatized Youth

Study Finds Brain Network That Could Protect Against PTSD