Your Heart Health as a Veteran: Why Your Risk Is Higher

If you’re a veteran, you may face some health challenges after your time in service. Research shows that heart and vascular problems are more common in veterans than in civilians. Stress, sleep disruption, long work hours, and changes in daily routines during military service can affect your heart and blood vessels long after returning home.

Once you’re out of service, it can also be harder to keep up with checkups or find the right care. Habits, stress levels, and access to support may shift over time. Many risks can be lowered with awareness and small, steady steps.

Why Heart and Vascular Risk Is Higher for Many Veterans

Studies show that veterans have a higher chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Many different factors can raise your risk including:

• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or weight gain. You may deal with one or more of these during or after service.

• Stress during and after service. Ongoing stress makes healthy routines harder to maintain.

• Mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These can affect sleep, activity, and follow-up care.

• Service-related exposures. Some studies show that veterans exposed to open-air burn pits—large areas where trash, fuel, and other waste were burned during deployment—may face slightly higher long-term health risks. If this applies to you, be sure to mention it during your checkups.

Regular care and awareness can help you manage these risks more effectively.

Barriers That Can Make Staying Connected to Care Harder

Regular follow-up is important for your heart and vascular health, but staying connected to care isn’t always easy.

Personal Barriers

• You may not realize your risk or know where to start.

• Stress, depression, or limited support can make prevention feel overwhelming.

• Adjusting to civilian life can disrupt routines and healthy habits.

Access Barriers

• You may live far from clinics or specialists.

• Transportation, work schedules, or limited appointment openings can make care harder.

• Insurance changes after leaving active duty can affect medications and follow-ups.

System Barriers

• Clinicians may have limited time for preventive discussions.

• Care hasn’t always been tailored to the needs of women veterans or minority veterans.

• Veterans experiencing homelessness or unstable housing face even greater challenges.

If you’re living with PTSD, depression, or high stress, these barriers may build on each other. Emotional strain affects your heart and blood vessels and can also make it harder to stay engaged in care.

How You Can Protect Your Heart and Vascular Health

Even small changes can make a meaningful difference. While some risks can’t be changed, many can be managed through awareness, support, and daily habits.

Stay on top of checkups

Ask your clinician about your:

• Blood pressure

• Cholesterol

• Blood sugar

• Circulation

These numbers help show how your heart and blood vessels are working. 

Move regularly

Light movement—walking, stretching, or yard work—helps circulation and supports healthy blood pressure and weight. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Eat for heart health

Choose more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins when you can. Try simple swaps, like a piece of fruit instead of a processed snack.

Manage stress

Long-term stress affects your heart and blood vessels. Breathing exercises, time outdoors, and talking with someone you trust can help.

Avoid tobacco

Smoking and vaping harm the lining of blood vessels and raise the risk of clots, PAD, and heart disease. Support is available if you want to quit.

Watch for warning signs

Get care right away if you notice:

• Chest pressure

• Shortness of breath

• Leg pain while walking

• Swelling in one leg

Early attention can prevent more serious problems later.

Where Veterans Can Find Support

Managing your heart and vascular health can feel easier with the right support. You have access to a range of programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community partners that are designed to make care more personal and accessible.

Team-based care

Many VA and community clinics use team-based care. This approach brings together clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other specialists. 

Within the VA, this is called Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs) These teams help with:

• Medication management

• Lab follow-ups

• Support for transportation, housing, or other needs that affect health

Some VA locations also offer Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) if you have complex medical needs or difficulty traveling to appointments. A team that can include a nurse, social worker, or rehabilitation specialist provides care in the home. 

Research shows that team-based care improves communication, lowers hospitalizations, and helps you stay on track with your goals.

Telehealth and virtual care

Secure video visits, messaging, and remote monitoring tools make it easier to stay connected—especially if you live far from clinics. You can explore these options through VA Connected Care.

Whole Health 

The Whole Health approach helps you focus on what matters most—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It includes health coaching, personal health planning, and group classes. Every VA medical center offers Whole Health services, though programs may vary. You can explore these programs and resources at va.gov/wholehealth.

Care for women and underserved veterans

Every VA medical center provides gender-specific primary care for women, including heart and vascular screenings, reproductive care, and mental health support. Many VA facilities also offer dedicated Women’s Health Clinics, where clinicians are trained to meet the unique needs of women veterans. You can learn more or find nearby programs through the VA Women Veterans Health Care site.

The Office of Health Equity (OHE) works across the VA system to close care gaps—helping ensure you receive equitable, high-quality care no matter where you live.

You can learn more about these efforts at va.gov/healthequity.

Additional Resources for You

Several national and community organizations provide tools, guidance, and social support to help you maintain your heart and vascular health:

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Offers advocacy, transportation assistance, and help navigating VA benefits.

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Builds community through group fitness and social events that promote physical activity and emotional well-being.

• Boot Campaign: Provides health and wellness programs for veterans and their families, including support for physical activity and stress reduction.

• Cohen Veterans Network: Offers confidential mental health care for veterans and their families across the country.

• Fisher House Foundation: Provides free lodging near major VA hospitals for families of hospitalized veterans, easing travel and financial strain.

• National Resource Directory (NRD): Connects you to local resources for health, housing, and financial support.

You can also search for your local VA medical center at www.va.gov/find-locations to learn which services are offered near you.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Life after service brings new routines and responsibilities—including caring for your heart and vascular health. Staying on top of your health isn’t just about preventing problems. It’s about feeling your best and having the energy to do what matters most.

References

Agarwala A, Patel J, Stephens J, et al. Implementation of prevention science to eliminate health care inequities in achieving cardiovascular health: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148(15). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001171

Apaydin EA, Paige NL, Begashaw MM, et al. Veterans Health Administration (VA) vs non-VA healthcare quality: A systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2023;38:2179-2188. doi:10.1007/s11606-023-08188-7

Bergman BP, Mackay DF, Pell JP. Trends in cardiovascular disease in Scottish military veterans: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2021;11(7):e050326. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050326

Cavanagh CE, Rosman L, Chui PW, Bastian L, Brandt C, Haskell S, Burg MM. Barriers to cardiovascular disease preventive behaviors among OEF/OIF/OND women and men veterans. Health Psychol. 2020;39(4):298-306. doi:10.1037/hea0000844

Edwards ST, Greene L, Chaudhary C, et al. Outpatient care fragmentation and acute care utilization in Veterans Affairs Home-Based Primary Care. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2230036. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30036

Germack HD, Leung L, Zhao X, et al. Association of team-based care and continuity of care with hospitalizations for veterans with comorbid mental and physical health conditions. J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37:40-48. doi:10.1007/s11606-022-07580-2

Nelson KM, Taylor L, Williams JL, et al. Effect of a peer health coaching intervention on clinical outcomes among US veterans with cardiovascular risks: The Vet-COACH randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(6):e2317046. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.17046

Savitz DA, Woskie SR, Bello A, et al. Deployment to military bases with open burn pits and respiratory and cardiovascular disease. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e247629. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7629