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Quantitative correlation between cardiovascular and plasma epinephrine response to mental stress
1First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Summary
Mental stress triggers epinephrine release, impacting cardiovascular function. Increased epinephrine correlates with heart rate and blood pressure changes, indicating a beta-adrenergic response.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Stress Response
Background:
- Mental stress can elicit significant physiological changes.
- Understanding the interplay between stress hormones and cardiovascular dynamics is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the quantitative relationship between cardiovascular responses and endogenous catecholamine levels during mental stress.
- To elucidate the specific cardiovascular effects mediated by epinephrine during acute psychological challenges.
Main Methods:
- A mental arithmetic test was administered to 20 healthy young men.
- Non-invasive serial M-mode echocardiography was used for hemodynamic measurements.
- Plasma catecholamine levels (epinephrine and norepinephrine) were quantified.
Main Results:
- Mental stress increased heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume ratio.
- Peripheral resistance and left ventricular end-systolic volume decreased; left ventricular end-diastolic volume and norepinephrine remained unchanged.
- Changes in hemodynamic parameters significantly correlated with the rise in plasma epinephrine.
Conclusions:
- Acute mental stress stimulates endogenous epinephrine secretion.
- The observed cardiovascular changes (increased heart rate, contractility, and vasodilation) are consistent with a beta-adrenergic activated state.
- Epinephrine plays a key role in mediating cardiovascular adjustments to acute mental stress.