Aldosterone: a forgotten mediator of the relationship between psychological stress and heart disease

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Laura D Kubzansky1, Gail K Adler

  • 1Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Lkubzans@hsph.harvard.edu

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|July 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Aldosterone, a hormone released during stress, may significantly contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. This review explores aldosterone

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology

Background:

  • Chronic stress is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Hormonal mediators like catecholamines and cortisol are implicated, but aldosterone's role is understudied.
  • Aldosterone, released by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, warrants investigation for its potential link to stress and CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functions and actions of aldosterone in the brain and periphery.
  • To examine the existing literature on aldosterone's role in CVD.
  • To explore the connection between aldosterone, chronic psychological stress, and CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of aldosterone's functions, actions, and involvement in CVD.
  • Analysis of studies linking aldosterone to psychological stress.
  • Development of an integrated model for aldosterone's mediation of stress effects on CVD.

Main Results:

  • Aldosterone has known functions in the brain and periphery.
  • Evidence suggests a link between aldosterone and CVD.
  • Potential connections exist between aldosterone and various forms of chronic stress.

Conclusions:

  • Aldosterone may be a significant mediator linking negative affective states and CVD.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms.
  • Identifying methodological issues is crucial for future research on aldosterone and stress-related CVD.

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