Bearing allostatic load: insights into a more equitable future within cardio-oncology

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Pathogenesis
• Health Equity

Background:

• Chronic stress is a major contributor to illness and death.
• The precise mechanisms linking stress to disease are not fully understood.
• Allostatic load quantifies the physiological impact of chronic stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore allostatic load's role in disease pathogenesis.
• To examine its relevance to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and health disparities.
• To consider its implications for cardio-oncology patient care and research.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development.
• Literature review and synthesis.
• Exploration of allostatic load as a clinical tool.

Main Results:

• Allostatic load provides a framework for understanding stress-related disease.
• It connects chronic stress to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and health disparities.
• It has potential applications in cardio-oncology.

Conclusions:

• Allostatic load is a key factor in stress-related morbidity and mortality.
• It offers a measurable link between chronic stress and major diseases.
• Allostatic load can be a clinically actionable tool to advance health equity in cardio-oncology.