Prolonged elevations in haemostatic and rheological responses following psychological stress in low socioeconomic status men and women

Steptoe, A., Kunz-Ebrecht, S., Rumley, A. and Lowe, G.D.O. (2003) Prolonged elevations in haemostatic and rheological responses following psychological stress in low socioeconomic status men and women. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 89(1), pp. 83-90.

Abstract

Low socioeconomic status (SES) and psychological stress are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, and both may influence haemostatic responses. Von Willebrand factor (vWF), Factor VIII, plasma viscosity, haematocrit, blood viscosity, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and fibrin D- dimer were measured at rest and following stressful tasks in 238 middle-aged British civil servants. SES was defined by grade of employment. Lower SES was associated with higher resting vWF, Factor VIII and plasma viscosity. Psychological stress stimulated increases in haemostatic and rheological factors. Initial stress responses did not vary with SES, but Factor VIII, plasma viscosity and blood viscosity remained more elevated 45 minutes post-stress in lower SES participants. High blood pressure stress reactivity was also associated with greater haemostatic responses. We conclude that lower SES is characterised by more prolonged elevations in procoagulant responses following psychological stress, and that these processes might contribute to increased cardiac risk.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rumley, Dr Ann and Lowe, Professor Gordon
• Authors: Steptoe, A., Kunz-Ebrecht, S., Rumley, A., and Lowe, G.D.O.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine; Q Science > QP Physiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Thrombosis and Haemostasis
• Publisher: Schattauer GmbH
• ISSN: 0340-6245
• Copyright Holders: ©2003 Schattauer GmbH
• First Published: First published in Thrombosis and Haemostasis 89(1):83-90
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Publisher