Published on: Feb 25, 2026
Although women are twice as likely as men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), research examining its specific impact on women’s health has historically been limited.
At the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Emily Larson, PhD, and Kerrie Moreau, PhD, are working to address this gap. Their research explores the intersection of mental and physical health, specifically investigating how PTSD-related nightmares influence cardiovascular health in women.
The team is evaluating a prescription digital therapeutic device called NightWare to determine whether improving sleep quality can also improve heart health. Larson’s study includes premenopausal women half experiencing PTSD-related nightmares and half without while also assessing kidney function alongside cardiovascular markers. Moreau is focusing her research on women veterans, building on prior work with non-veteran populations.
PTSD has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, arterial stiffness, vascular dysfunction, cognitive decline, and higher Alzheimer’s risk. Because sleep plays a critical role in regulating hormones, inflammation, and nervous system activity, chronic sleep disruption caused by PTSD may accelerate vascular aging and overall health decline.
NightWare, a prescription system using an Apple Watch and iPhone, monitors sleep patterns, heart rate, and movement. When it detects physiological signs of a nightmare, it delivers subtle vibrations intended to interrupt the episode without waking the user. In the study, half of participants receive the active intervention while others receive a placebo device. Cardiovascular function is measured before and after the eight-week trial.
Moreau emphasizes that aging research must account for life stressors such as trauma, adversity, and environmental exposures factors that have often been overlooked. Both researchers are committed to better understanding how PTSD uniquely affects women, a population long underrepresented in this field.
Larson’s current research is supported by an early career seed grant from the Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research, which also provides mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Their work aims to close a critical research gap and advance a more comprehensive understanding of women’s health across the lifespan.
Source: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/medicine/ptsd-women-heart-health
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