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Stress and Cardiovascular Disease pp 71–87Cite as

Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Cardiovascular Disease

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Abstract

Complex biological systems constantly maintain a dynamic equilibrium (homeostasis) that is necessary for survival. This equilibrium is achieved through interactions with the environment, and adaptation to the ever-changing internal and external milieu. Throughout evolution, the stress system has remained a relatively well-­preserved biological machinery that has served this function efficiently; designed to respond to internal or external challenges (stressors), and to reestablish homeostasis by various physiological and behavioral adaptive responses to stress which have been necessary for the survival of our ancestors in adverse environments.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Laiko Hospital, National University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Gregory Kaltsas

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Anthony S. Zannas

  3. First Department of Pediatrics, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece

    George P. Chrousos

Authors
  1. Gregory Kaltsas
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  2. Anthony S. Zannas
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  3. George P. Chrousos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to George P. Chrousos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Karolinska Hospital, Dept. Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden

    Paul Hjemdahl

  2. St Georges Hospital Medical School, Dept. Psychology, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    Andrew Steptoe

  3. Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Göteborg, SE-416 85, Sweden

    Annika Rosengren

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Kaltsas, G., Zannas, A.S., Chrousos, G.P. (2011). Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Cardiovascular Disease. In: Hjemdahl, P., Steptoe, A., Rosengren, A. (eds) Stress and Cardiovascular Disease. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-419-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-419-5_5

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-419-5

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