Last updated 10 September 2010
People with high levels of the stress hormone cortisol may be more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, new research suggests.
Scientists at the VU University Medical Centre in The Netherlands followed 861 over-65s for up to six years.
During the course of the study, 183 of the participants died.
The researchers found that people with high levels of cortisol in their urine at the start of the study were more likely to die than those with normal levels.
Cortisol is an important hormone, as it helps the body to recover from stressful situations. But the latest research suggests that it may also have a harmful effect on the heart and blood vessels.
Lead author Dr Nicole Vogelzangs, whose findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, commented: 'Previous studies have suggested that cortisol might increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality, but until now, no study had directly tested this hypothesis
'This finding significantly adds evidence to the belief that cortisol can be damaging to the cardiovascular system.'
Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, noted that stress is already known to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
'It's important we all try and find ways to cope with stress which don't involved unhealthy habits that increase your risk of heart disease, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol and eating foods high in saturated fat and salt,' she added.
Scientists at the VU University Medical Centre in The Netherlands followed 861 over-65s for up to six years.
During the course of the study, 183 of the participants died.
The researchers found that people with high levels of cortisol in their urine at the start of the study were more likely to die than those with normal levels.
Cortisol is an important hormone, as it helps the body to recover from stressful situations. But the latest research suggests that it may also have a harmful effect on the heart and blood vessels.
Lead author Dr Nicole Vogelzangs, whose findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, commented: 'Previous studies have suggested that cortisol might increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality, but until now, no study had directly tested this hypothesis
'This finding significantly adds evidence to the belief that cortisol can be damaging to the cardiovascular system.'
Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, noted that stress is already known to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
'It's important we all try and find ways to cope with stress which don't involved unhealthy habits that increase your risk of heart disease, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol and eating foods high in saturated fat and salt,' she added.
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