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[Stress and myocardial infarction].
1Medizinische Klinik II, Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Klinikum Idar-Oberstein. medklinik2.io@shg-kliniken.de
Herz
|September 15, 2001
Summary
Emotional stress can trigger acute myocardial infarction, while high physical stress in untrained individuals poses an even greater risk. Further research is needed to confirm stress
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychophysiology
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Stress elevates plasma catecholamines and cortisol, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
- Plasma epinephrine can increase eightfold under stress, with norepinephrine rising higher during physical than emotional stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of emotional and physical stress as triggers for acute myocardial infarction.
- To explore the relationship between stress and coronary atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical studies on stress and cardiovascular events.
- Analysis of risk factors and timing associated with myocardial infarction onset.
Main Results:
- Emotional stress is a convincing trigger for acute myocardial infarction, with events peaking between 6 a.m. and noon, particularly on Monday mornings.
- Life-threatening events like earthquakes increase myocardial infarction risk sixfold; anger or sexual activity can double it.
- High physical stress in untrained individuals carries a greater myocardial infarction risk than extreme emotional stress, potentially due to greater coronary vasoconstriction.
Conclusions:
- A causal link between stress and atherosclerosis remains unproven in clinical studies.
- Emotional stress is accepted as a potential trigger for acute myocardial infarction.
- High physical stress in untrained individuals presents a significant risk for acute myocardial infarction.