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Urinary cortisol and six-year risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality

Nicole Vogelzangs1, Aartjan T F Beekman, Yuri Milaneschi

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. n.vogelzangs@vumc.nl

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|August 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

High urinary cortisol levels significantly predict cardiovascular mortality in older adults. This stress hormone elevates the risk of death from heart disease and stroke, even in those without prior cardiovascular conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cortisol, a stress hormone, is associated with adverse cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Longitudinal data on cortisol's predictive value for cardiovascular mortality is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if urinary cortisol levels predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
  • To examine this association over a 6-year follow-up period in an elderly general population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study (InCHIANTI) with 861 participants aged 65+.
  • Assessment of 24-hour urinary cortisol levels at baseline.
  • Ascertainment of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease) over 6 years.

Main Results:

  • Higher urinary cortisol levels were associated with increased cardiovascular mortality risk.
  • Individuals in the highest cortisol tertile had a fivefold increased risk of cardiovascular death (HR=5.00).
  • This association remained consistent regardless of baseline cardiovascular disease status.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated urinary cortisol strongly predicts cardiovascular death in older adults.
  • The specific link to cardiovascular mortality suggests a direct damaging effect on the cardiovascular system.
  • Findings highlight cortisol as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk in the elderly.
Abstract

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