Today's prolonged stress may predict tomorrow's heart problems

By ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News

PeopleImages/E+, Getty Images
(PeopleImages/E+, Getty Images)

People whose stress hormones reach high levels are at greater risk for developing high blood pressure or having a heart attack or stroke down the road, according to a new study.

Published Monday in the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ journal , the research analyzed levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and cortisol – hormones that respond to stress levels – in urine samples.

The work builds on previous studies showing cumulative exposure to daily stress, as well as exposure to traumatic stress, can increase cardiovascular disease risk. A growing body of research suggests a connection between mind, heart and body – that a person's psychological health can influence heart and brain health.

And while previous studies focused on the impact of stress levels in people who already had hypertension, there was a lack of research in adults who didn't have high blood pressure, study author Dr. Kosuke Inoue said in a news release.

"It is important to examine the impact of stress on adults in the general population because it provides new information about whether routine measurement of stress hormones needs to be considered to prevent hypertension and (cardiovascular disease) events," said Inoue, an assistant professor of social epidemiology at Kyoto University in Japan who also is affiliated with the department of epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health.

He and his team measured the four stress hormones in 412 Hispanic, Black and white adults from New York and Los Angeles. Three of the hormones – norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine – are known as catecholamines and help regulate involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. The fourth, cortisol, is a steroid hormone released during stress.

"Although all of these hormones are produced in the adrenal gland, they have different roles and mechanisms to influence the cardiovascular system, so it is important to study their relationship with hypertension and cardiovascular events individually," Inoue said.

Participants, who had normal blood pressure and were 48 to 87 years old at the start of the study, were followed for more than a decade. After about seven years, every time a person's levels of all four stress hormones doubled, the risk for developing high blood pressure rose 21% to 31%.

After 11 years of follow-up, each time cortisol levels doubled, researchers found a 90% increased risk in cardiovascular events such as chest pain, the need for an artery-opening procedure, a heart attack or a stroke. No connection was found between the other three stress hormones and cardiovascular problems during the longer follow-up.

"The next key research question is whether and in which populations increased testing of stress hormones could be helpful," Inoue said. "Currently, these hormones are measured only when hypertension with an underlying cause or other related diseases are suspected. However, if additional screening could help prevent hypertension and cardiovascular events, we may want to measure these hormone levels more frequently."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News Stories

ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News stories reflect the official position of the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific journals or presented at ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.