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Exhausted subjects, exhausted systems
1Department of Medical Psychology, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
A state of 'vital exhaustion', characterized by unusual tiredness, increased irritability and feelings of demoralization has been found to preceed the onset of myocardial infarction and to increase the risk of a new coronary event after angioplasty. Probably this state reflects a decreased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as part of an homeostatic reaction to prolonged stress and inflammation.