Acute hydrocortisone administration reduces cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability in young men

摘要

Key points class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc" id="tjp13201-list-0001">A surge in cortisol during acute physiological and pathophysiological stress may precipitate ventricular arrhythmia and myocardial infarction.Reduced cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability are observed during acute stress and are associated with an increased risk of acute cardiac events.In the present study, healthy young men received either a single iv bolus of saline (placebo) or hydrocortisone, 1 week apart, in accordance with a randomized, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study design.Hydrocortisone acutely increased heart rate and blood pressure and reduced cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability in young men.These findings suggest that, by reducing cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability, acute surges in cortisol facilitate a pro‐arrhythmic milieu and provide an important mechanistic link between stress and acute cardiac events