The effects of stress on left ventricular ejection fraction

Eur J Nucl Med. 1988;14(1):12-6. doi: 10.1007/BF00252610.

Abstract

The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was studied in 17 healthy volunteers with a new ambulatory left ventricular function monitor. Heart rate, EF, and blood pressure measurements were made during rest, a psychiatric stress interview, cold exposure, exercise, and eating. An increase in EF was seen during emotional stress (from 0.45 +/- 0.09 to 0.51 +/- 0.13, P less than 0.001). This increase was comparable to that observed during exercise (0.52 +/- 0.14) and eating (0.52 +/- 0.10, P less than 0.001). In contrast, cold exposure caused a decrease in EF (0.43 +/- 0.13, P less than 0.05). These observations demonstrate the powerful hemodynamic consequences of common behaviors as well as the utility and feasibility of studying such behavioral factors in ambulatory subjects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Cold Temperature
  • Eating
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation
  • Physical Exertion
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stroke Volume*