What is it about?
Cortisol is the primary stress hormone found in humans. Studies have shown that cortisol contributes to the development of metabolic disorders (i.e. high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity), all of which are major risk factors of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, cortisol seems to also increase cardiovascular risk through non-metabolic pathways. These mounting evidence suggest its potential as a cardiovascular risk biomarker, however, with more parameters needed to be taken into consideration to increase its accuracy.
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Why is it important?
As cardiovascular disease becomes more prevalent worldwide, a more timely diagnosis or an earlier notification of bad cardiovascular health is crucial for taking necessary medical measures. Notably, cortisol (the stress hormone) has been recognised as a significant contributor of cardiovascular disease. This review thereby, intends to provide insights into the mechanistic features by which serum cortisol is associated with cardiovascular risk, and the considerations to employ it as a risk biomarker.
Perspectives
My main intention of writing this article would be that readers can clearly understand reasons behind the potential of serum cortisol as a risk biomarker for cardiovascular disease. It was also my great honour to have experts in the relevant medical field as the co-authors of this paper. Finally, I hope that this article can provide new insights into aspects to be considered for practical applications.
Wei Jet Oo
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Serum Cortisol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk - A Potential Biomarker, Current Cardiology Reviews, May 2025, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/011573403x328499241106064553.
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