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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm
Published on: May 4, 2020
Do men and women differ on measures of mental stress-induced ischemia?
Kaki M York1, Mustafa Hassan, Qin Li
1Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. kaki.york@va.gov
Objective:
To consider the effects of gender on ischemia in a larger sample, with broadly defined coronary artery disease (CAD). Mental stress has been shown to cause transient myocardial ischemia in a significant percentage of people with CAD. However, little is known about the effects of mental stress on ischemic processes in women. Most studies to date either had few women or required a positive exercise stress test.
Methods:
Participants (61 women, 93 men; average age = 63 years) had documented CAD (positive stress test, abnormal catheterization even with minimal disease, or previous myocardial infarction). They underwent mental stress testing and radionuclide perfusion imaging (stress/ rest). Cardiac function data were collected and stress was compared with baseline. The data were then submitted to a series of analyses of variance.
Results:
A total of 50 (32%) participants exhibited reversible ischemia post psychological stress. This reflects a relative rate of 33% (n = 31 of 93) for men and 31% (n = 19 of 61) for women. No difference between men and women were observed on any measure of hemodynamic functioning (blood pressure, heart rate, or cardiac perfusion).
Conclusions:
Results of this study showed no significant differences between men and women on measures of hemodynamic functioning or cardiac perfusion.
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Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
Psychological Responses to Stress
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Panic Disorder

