Gradually increased stress levels in the days leading to an acute myocardial infarction, detected by a new biomarker-based approach

Abstract Background Stress has been recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor that aside from triggering acute coronary syndromes (acute stress), could also directly and indirectly mediate the pathophysiology of artery disease (chronic stress). So far, there have no quantitative indices available to study this relationship. Purpose We prospectively investigated stress levels for days prior episode, on male patients with an myocardial infarction (AMI), by measuring Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC) which is indicative cortisol blood levels. Methods A total 95 consecutive AMI (ST-elevation MI non-ST-elevation MI) wererecruited. Exclusion criteria were: age >80 years, presence chronic inflammatory disease, endocrine/psychiatric disorder or malignancy. small sample hair was obtained patient's head segments were later analyzed HCC, enzymatic analytical method measures amount cumulative deposited bloodstream upon every piece, at time when it generated follicle. Results mean HCC patients, expressed percentage range detected 0 time: 75.41%, 15 prior: 76.79%, 30 72.88%, 45 69.34%, 60 69.43% 75 65.96%. Figure 1 shows during day occurrence zero. The results are consistent gradual increase in reflects levels, before AMI, peaked episode. Conclusions quantified new biomarker-based approach, gradually increased preceding peaking Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: None.