Role of central adiposity and chronic stress as risks for exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stressors

2011-09-19Chronic stress and central adiposity are independently associated with negative cardiovascular health outcomes. Additionally, both characteristics are associated with exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, studies have not examined whether these two characteristics interact to produce a profile of elevated cardiovascular risk. Additionally, studies have also found no association or negative associations between cardiovascular reactivity, central adiposity, and chronic stress. Factors that potentially contribute to the ambiguity in the literature may include measurement of central adiposity and chronic stress, and exclusion criteria. 122 undergraduate college students engaged in a series of laboratory tasks designed to induce stress. Heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output were obtained during each minute of the experiment. Results indicated that individuals with concurrently high levels of chronic stress and central adiposity exhibited lower SBP reactivity to stress. The results may reflect blunting of physiological systems such as the HPA and SAM axis. Additionally, these findings may implicate low cardiovascular reactivity as an indicator of unresponsiveness of physiological systems, and thus, risk for negative outcomes