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A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Association Between Serum Cortisol Levels and Variant Angina
Jeen Hwa Lee1, Sung Rok Lee2, Yeon Jung Lee1
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Korea.
Korean Circulation Journal
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Elevated cortisol levels, a stress hormone, are associated with variant angina (VA), a condition caused by coronary vasospasm. This study found higher cortisol in VA patients, suggesting a link between stress and vasospasm.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Variant angina (VA) involves coronary vasospasm, potentially triggered by psychological stress.
- The relationship between cortisol, a stress hormone, and VA is not well-established.
- Understanding this link may offer new insights into VA pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum cortisol levels and variant angina.
- To determine if cortisol is an independent predictor of VA.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 192 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Serum cortisol, norepinephrine, and ACTH measured at admission and post-angiography.
- Multivariable logistic regression used to identify factors associated with VA.
Main Results:
- 23% of patients were diagnosed with VA.
- VA patients had significantly higher cortisol levels at admission and on day 1 compared to controls.
- Higher admission cortisol was independently associated with VA, along with younger age and lower CRP.
Conclusions:
- Variant angina patients exhibit elevated cortisol during the acute phase.
- These findings suggest a link between stress-induced cortisol elevation and coronary vasospasm.
- Further clinical research is warranted to explore this association.
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