Author Interviews, Emory, Heart Disease / 13.09.2019
Emotional Distress Stresses Cardiac Blood Vessels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Viola Vaccarino, MD, PhD
Wilton Looney Professor and Chair in Cardiovascular Research
Dept. of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health
Professor, Dept. of Medicine, School of Medicine
Emory University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Psychological stress has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms have not been clear. One hypothesis has been that chronic or repeated exposure to psychological stress can cause a phenomenon of “wear-and-tear” of the vascular system due to activation of the neuroendocrine stress systems, eventually leading to accelerated plaque formation and adverse cardiovascular events. However, this has never been demonstrated in humans.
In some individuals, psychological stress can induce a transitory impairment of the endothelium, a phenomenon known as endothelial dysfunction. A healthy endothelium is essential in blood flow regulation and in maintaining cardiovascular health.
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