Cardiovascular Risk for Veterans – A Call to Arms

By Dr. Amy Rohs, MD
Physician Clinical Champion – Government Sales and Solutions – Philips North America, LLC

Since the U.S. military draft officially ended on January 27, 1973, the nation has relied on the service and dedication of an all-volunteer military force – brave individuals who have stepped forward not out of obligation but from an unshakable sense of duty. They have served across the globe, from the deserts of the Middle East to Afghanistan’s mountains, and into the vast depths of seas and skies. These men and women have stood in harm’s way, protecting us, supporting one another and caring for people worldwide. They have faced unimaginable hardships in hostile environments, enduring physical and emotional stress far beyond what many of us can imagine. And they have given so much of themselves with the hope that, when their service came to an end, they could return to civilian life, find peace and rebuild the lives they fought so hard to protect.

Sadly, for too many of them, this dream of peace and fulfillment is just that – a dream. The scars of war do not simply vanish with the retirement of a uniform. Veterans carry lasting risks to their health – both physical and emotional – that stretch far beyond their time in service. Their health, body and mind are forever altered by their experiences, and all too often, the toll of service lingers long after their missions are completed.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) deserves recognition for its efforts to research and address the cardiovascular (CV) health of our Veterans. Through groundbreaking studies, the VA has highlighted an urgent issue – Veterans face a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the civilian population.[1]

This is not just a statistic but a painful reality. My brothers and sisters who fought to defend our country are now battling for their own hearts. Research shows that combat deployments and the associated trauma and stress are linked to new-onset heart disease,[2] particularly among younger Veterans.[3] This is not an abstract concept; this is the insidious consequence of the intense emotional and physical tolls of war.[4]

The data is alarming. Veterans are at greater risk of CVD, and their risk will not diminish over time. Female Veterans, one of the fastest-growing groups in the VA system[5], are especially affected. A 20-year review revealed that female Veterans have not seen the same improvements in cardiac disease mortality as their civilian counterparts.[6] This is not just a health concern; it’s a crisis.

At Philips, we are listening. We understand the concerns of the Veteran community, and we are stepping up to answer the call with the most innovative, life-saving technologies. Our mission is clear: give Veterans the tools, care and expertise they need to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease so they can thrive after their service.

To bring this battle to the frontlines, we are surrounding Veterans with advanced imaging technology and remote resources to detect heart disease sooner and prevent it from progressing. Our Philips IntelliSpace Cardiovascular Workspace is now active in 65% of VA Medical Centers (VAMCs), providing a powerful, centralized platform for managing cardiology imaging and data. This technology creates efficiency, but more importantly, it is saving lives. By integrating tools like electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, vascular ultrasounds and nuclear cardiology into one seamless system, care teams can make faster, better-informed decisions, ensuring Veterans receive timely, coordinated care.

By partnering with 4DMedical™, we can push the limits of innovation to assist with earlier diagnosis and intervention. 4DMedical’s CT Suite technology can detect coronary artery calcification (CAC™) through existing chest computerized tomography (CT) scans – something that was usually performed after risk factors had already been identified. Through this breakthrough technology, we can screen for calcification before risk factors even manifest, providing radiologists and cardiologists with the vital information they need to make life-saving decisions.

This approach is proactive, not reactive care. And Veterans’ elevated risk demands that we do more. By integrating imaging technologies into a single CV platform and harnessing every tool to identify cardiovascular disease early, Veterans and their care teams are empowered to diagnose and intervene sooner, better and faster.

This mission is about more than groundbreaking technology – it is about keeping a promise and fulfilling a debt to those who have given so much. It is about making sure that the hearts of our nation’s heroes keep beating strong long after their service ends. It is about giving our Veterans the care they deserve so they can enjoy living in the country they so nobly protected.

At Philips, we honor that commitment. We stand with our Veterans, ready to fight for their health just as they fought for our freedom. Together, we can ensure that their sacrifices will never be in vain. And we can safeguard their hearts, today and always.

[1] Assari, S, “Veterans and Risk of Heart Disease in the United States:  A Cohort with 20 years of Follow Up. Internation Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol 5, No 6, June 2014.
[2] Assari, S, “Veterans and Risk of Heart Disease in the United States:  A Cohort with 20 years of Follow Up. Internation Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol 5, No 6, June 2014.
[3] Crum-Cianflone, NF, et al.  Impact of Combat Deployment and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Newly Reported Coronary Heart Diuease Among US Active Duty and Reserve Forces. Circulation. Volume 129, Issue 18, May 2014.

[4] Crum-Cianflone, NF, et al.  Impact of Combat Deployment and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Newly Reported Coronary Heart Diuease Among US Active Duty and Reserve Forces. Circulation. Volume 129, Issue 18, May 2014.
[5] Ebrahimi R, et al. Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in US Women Veterans vs Civilians. JAMA Network Open, 2023; 6(10) Longitudinal retrospective cohort study from Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2017.
[6] Ebrahimi R, et al. Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in US Women Veterans vs Civilians. JAMA Network Open, 2023; 6(10) Longitudinal retrospective cohort study from Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2017.