Current perspectives in stress research and cardiometabolic risk

The most important objective of this research was to analyze and discuss the current relationship between the level of stress perception and the consequences on cardiometabolic risk in population. The study was based on a literature review, including books, published articles and internet information, as well as on the author's own experience in this field, regarding the most important concepts about stress, the mediators and systems involved, methods of assessment and evidences about the influences of stress on cardiac, endocrine and metabolic system. Stress and coping with stress have been identified as important variables affecting health, now recognized to be involved in pathogenesis of many diseases: cardiometabolic, respiratory and digestive pathologies, cancer, neuroendocrine and psychiatric disorders. Glucocorticoids, catecholamines, pro- and antiinfla-mmatory cytokines and the parasympathetic nervous system are involved in the adaptation to stressors. The overload of these allostatic systems is characterized by persistent high levels of stress mediators and damaging effects on human health. The stress assessment combine the rating scales for self-evaluation and the laboratory tests. From the medical point of view, the most important step forward in the stress research was made by using salivary stress markers. Measuring cortisol, alpha-amylase, or dehydroepiandrosterone in saliva became a reliable method of investigating stress in human because avoid venipuncture and offer the possibility of self-collection at home or at work, several times per day. Stress markers were significantly increased in metabolic syndrome, hypertension, stroke, ischemic heart disease and heart failure.