Stress and Its Role in Sympathetic Nervous System Activation in Hypertension and the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Stress in several guises is evident in individuals with hypertension and in those with the metabolic syndrome and may account, at least in part, for the extent and pattern of sympathetic nervous activation. Importantly, elevated activity of the sympathetic nervous system is related to the development of obesity-related illnesses including hypertension, insulin resistance, and renal, cardiac, and vascular impairment. Notably, evidence of subclinical organ damage is evident even in young, normotensive, overweight persons, thereby reinforcing the need to develop and implement effective early intervention.

Adverse effects of psychosocial work factors on blood pressure: systematic review of studies on demand–control–support and effort–reward imbalance models

“…There is too little empirical evidence to suggest an optimal number of measures or an ideal interval of time between psychosocial work factor measurements. According to experimental studies, it is however reasonable to assume that the deleterious effect of psychosocial stressors on BP elevations, particularly on hypertension, would arise from prolonged exposures (17)(18)(19)(219)(220)(221).…”

“…Even though possible mechanisms are not clearly defined (16), based on experimental studies, one can reasonably assume that the deleterious effects of psychosocial stressors arise from the cumulative impact of multiple and prolonged exposures. These studies have provided evidence that the sympathetic nervous system, a primary mediator of the stress response, is one of the major pathways activating the renin-angiotensin system (17,18). Stress can therefore stimulate the secretion of renin and increase plasma levels of angiotensin II, which has a significant effect on blood vessel walls.…”

“…In conjunction with sympathetic activation and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation, activation of the renin-angiotensin system can lead to hypertension and cardiovascular events (17,18). Secondly, psychosocial work factors could act more indirectly on BP through known risk factors or risk behaviors (eg, obesity, smoking, lack of physical exercise, or excessive alcohol consumption) (22)(23)(24)(25).…”

Possible Hypoxia Signaling Induced Alteration of Glucose Homeostasis in Rats Exposed to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia - Role of Antioxidant (Vitamin C) and Ca2+ Channel Blocker (Cilnidipine)

“…The study reveals that CIH is linked to insulin signaling pathways, insulin sensitivities and metabolic syndrome in rats perhaps through CIH induced increase generation of ROS or sympathetic over activities which may be well controlled by treatment of antioxidant or N-type calcium channel blockers [30][31]. Sympathetic over activities may be regulated by either direct influences of CIH via chemoreceptor or through increase in HIF-1 .…”

Impacto da pressão arterial sobre os marcadores metabólicos, inflamatórios e hemodinâmicos em pacientes com síndrome metabólica

“…A obesidade surge como um candidato atraente para explicar todas as manifestações, mas a melhor forma de avaliá-la no cenário da SM também é debatida. Alguns estudos encontraram uma associação entre obesidade abdominal (circunferência da cintura) e os componentes da SM (89,90) , enquanto outros mostraram uma associação com o IMC ou relação cintura quadril (91)(92)(93) .…”