Abstract
Psychological stress elicits measurable changes in sympathetic-parasympathetic balance and the tone of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which might negatively affect the cardiovascular system both acutely-by precipitating myocardial infarction, left-ventricular dysfunction, or dysrhythmia; and chronically-by accelerating the atherosclerotic process. We provide an overview of the association between stress and cardiovascular morbidity, discuss the mechanisms for this association, and address possible therapeutic implications.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
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Circadian Rhythm / physiology
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Electrocardiography
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Emotions
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Humans
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology
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Pituitary-Adrenal System / metabolism
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Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiology*
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Stress, Psychological / complications*
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Stress, Psychological / metabolism
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Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
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Sympathetic Nervous System / metabolism*
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Sympathetic Nervous System / physiology