title: Stress-induced cardiac autonomic reactivity and preclinical atherosclerosis: does arterial elasticity modify the association?
abstract: The effect of acute mental stress on atherosclerosis can be estimated using arterial elasticity measured by carotid artery distensibility (Cdist). We examined the interactive effect of acute stress-induced cardiac reactivity and Cdist to preclinical atherosclerosis assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in 58 healthy adults aged 24-39 years participated in the epidemiological Young Finns Study. Cdist and IMT were measured ultrasonographically. Impedance electrocardiography was used to measure acute mental stress-induced cardiac autonomic responses: heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia and pre-ejection period after the mental arithmetic and the public speaking tasks. Interactions between HR reactivity and Cdist in relation to preclinical atherosclerosis were found. The results imply that elevated HR reactivity to acute mental stress is related to less atherosclerosis among healthy participants with higher arterial elasticity. Possibly, increased cardiac reactivity in response to challenging tasks is an adaptive reaction related to better cardiovascular health.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland .
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chumaeva
authors.affiliation: b Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland .
authors.forename: Mirka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hintsanen
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland .|c Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies , Helsinki , Finland .
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulkki-Råback
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland .
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merjonen
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland .|d National Institute for Health and Welfare , Helsinki , Finland .
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elovainio
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland .
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hintsa
authors.affiliation: e Department of Medicine , University of Turku , Turku , Finland .|f Division of Medicine , Turku University Hospital , Turku , Finland .|g Murdoch Children's Research Institute , Parkville , Victoria , Australia .
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juonala
authors.affiliation: h Department of Clinical Physiology , Tampere University Hospital, and University of Tampere , Tampere , Finland .
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kähönen
authors.affiliation: i Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku , Turku , Finland , and.|j Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine , Turku University Hospital , Turku , Finland.
authors.forename: Olli T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Raitakari
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland .
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keltikangas-Järvinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D004548:Elasticity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute mental stress; cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular ultrasound; carotid artery distensibility; heart rate; intima-media thickness