Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

Psychological distress, cortisol stress response and subclinical coronary calcification

Adrie Seldenrijk1, Mark Hamer, Avijit Lahiri

  • 1VUMC, Department of Psychiatry, AJ Ernststraat 1187, 1081 HL Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.seldenrijk@ggzingeest.nl

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|May 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Long-term psychological distress, not current distress, is linked to severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) in older adults. High cortisol response combined with long-term distress may heighten CAC risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Poor mental health is linked to coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction is a potential mechanism.
  • The relationship between psychological distress, cortisol response, and subclinical coronary artery calcification (CAC) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the associations between psychological distress, cortisol response to stress, and subclinical CAC.
  • To determine if long-term or current psychological distress is more strongly associated with CAC.
  • To explore the combined effect of psychological distress and cortisol reactivity on CAC risk.

Main Methods:

  • 527 healthy older adults from the Whitehall II cohort were studied.
  • Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was measured using electron beam computed tomography.
  • Psychological distress was assessed via Short Form-36 mental health scores and long-term averaged scores; salivary cortisol response to laboratory stressors was also measured.

Main Results:

  • 56.4% of participants had detectable CAC.
  • Long-term psychological distress, but not current distress, was associated with a higher risk of severe CAC (OR=1.49).
  • No significant association was found between psychological distress and cortisol stress response, though a trend suggested increased risk for severe CAC in those with long-term distress and high cortisol reactivity (p=.09).

Conclusions:

  • Long-term psychological distress is a significant risk factor for severe subclinical coronary artery calcification in older adults.
  • Current psychological distress was not associated with CAC.
  • The combination of long-term distress and heightened cortisol stress response may indicate a particularly high risk for severe CAC.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress09:39

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress

Published on: October 19, 2011

Thermal Imaging to Study Stress Non-invasively in Unrestrained Birds10:07

Thermal Imaging to Study Stress Non-invasively in Unrestrained Birds

Published on: November 6, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.