Neurocardiology. Stress and atherosclerosis

Until recently, there has been little evidence substantiating the belief that mental stress provokes myocardial infarction and stroke, and aggravates atherosclerosis. However, recent advances in methodology for demonstrating effects of stress are now beginning to build a foundation of evidence that supports those beliefs. In monkeys, social stress doubles coronary atherosclerosis, and increases coronary spasm, and treatment with oestrogen, which improves endothelial function, reduces coronary spasm in relation to stress. In human beings, mental stress provokes myocardial ischaemia, and haemodynamic responses to mental stress predict progression of left ventricular enlargement, and progression of carotid atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that it may not be safe to withhold treatment of high office pressures in patients with white coat hypertension. There is now some evidence that stress management in the form of individualized cognitive behavioural interventions reduces blood pressure. Further work is needed to determine whether it is safe to withhold treatment in white-coat syndrome, and whether stress management can reduce atherosclerosis and ischaemic events.