Cortisol is our stress hormone. When stress is high so is once cortisol. High cortisol levels can increase one's risk for heart disease, cancer, insomnia, inflammation and high blood pressure. Historically, cortisol has been measured in serum or saliva,
which provides a snapshot. However, cortisol levels vary over time and
fluctuate with circadian rhythm and are affected by acute stress. In recent
years, validated hair tests have become available to look at cortisol levels
over time. Dutch researchers investigated whether long-term high cortisol
levels were linked to increased CVD risk by measuring hair cortisol levels in
283 seniors (aged 65-85, 66% women). They discovered that participants with
high long-term cortisol levels (those in the highest quartile) had a 2.7 times
increased risk of CVD (1). This correlated with earlier research that found
significantly higher cortisol levels in the hair of men presenting to the ER
for a myocardial infarction as opposed to other reasons (2). In a statement,
lead author Dr. Elisabeth van Rossum stated, “The data showed a clear link
between chronically elevated cortisol levels and cardiovascular disease.”
(1) E. van Rossum, et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published online April 17, 2013
(2) Pereg et al, Stress 2011; 14:73-81.
(1) E. van Rossum, et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published online April 17, 2013
(2) Pereg et al, Stress 2011; 14:73-81.
