Stress-Induced Atherosclerosis: Clinical Evidence and Possible Underlying Mechanism

There is increasing recognition in medical fields of the importance of behavioral and psychosocial factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. Although the pathogenesis underlying stress-induced atherosclerosis is not well known, inflammation may play a key role. Activation of stress-induced neuroendocrine pathways, such as the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and the sympathetic nervous and renin angiotensin systems, direct neurogenic inflammation may also contribute to the development of stress-induced atherosclerosis. (Korean Circulation J 2005;35:101-105)