High Cortisol Levels Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Death

Nicole Vogelzangs, PhD, of VU University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues, evaluated data obtained from 861 people aged 65 and older who took part in a prospective cohort study. Urinary cortisol levels were obtained at the start of the study and the authors ascertained cause of death from death certificates. Results revealed a significant relationship between urinary cortisol levels and cardiovascular mortality in participants both with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Participants with the highest cortisol levels had a five-fold increased risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. However, high cortisol levels did not increase non-cardiovascular mortality. "Cortisol is an important component of the stress system of the human body but in higher concentrations can be harmful," said Vogelzangs. "Our study shows that older persons with high levels of cortisol have an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This finding significantly adds evidence to the belief that cortisol can be damaging to the cardiovascular system."