Chronic stress and the development of early atherosclerosis: moderating effect of endothelial dysfunction and impaired arterial elasticity.
This study aims to explore the interactive effect of vital exhaustion (VE) and endothelial dysfunction on preclinical atherosclerosis, assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Furthermore, interaction between VE and carotid elasticity is examined. Participants were 1,596 young healthy adults from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. Endothelial dysfunction was measured by brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and carotid elasticity by carotid artery compliance (CAC). Significant interactions between FMD and VE, and between CAC and VE, for IMT were found in participants with the very lowest FMD and CAC. Thus, VE may be harmful if the endothelium is not working properly.
Chumaeva
Nadja
N
Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. nadezda.chumaeva@helsinki.fi
Hintsanen
Mirka
M
Ravaja
Niklas
N
Juonala
Markus
M
Raitakari
Olli T
OT
Keltikangas-Järvinen
Liisa
L
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004548:Elasticity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult