Psychoneuroendocrinology
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Nov 2002
Cortisol and vital exhaustion in relation to significant coronary artery stenosis in middle-aged women with acute coronary syndrome.
The role of chronic stress in coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well known. Conflicting results have been obtained with regard to the stress hormone cortisol and 'vital exhaustion', a psychological construct defining the effects of long-term stress. We investigated the relationship between chronic stress, assessed by serum cortisol and vital exhaustion, and coronary artery stenosis and the importance of chronic stress in relation to standard risk factors of CAD. ⋯ Cortisol, but not vital exhaustion, was independently related to coronary stenosis in women with acute coronary syndrome. The influence of cortisol was important compared to standard risk factors of CAD.