View point: Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of coronary atherothrombosis

Most individuals experience psychosocial stress on a daily basis as a result of urbanization and industrialization, in developed and developing countries. Heavy workloads, job insecurity, living in relative poverty, and competition in business have been associated with increases in mental stress, which in turn can lead to chronic anxiety disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Apart from increases in psychological burden, chronic stress may also be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes. Epidemiological studies indicate that subjects with increased stress perception have a substantially higher prevalence of myocardial infarction than controls. Chronic anxiety disorders are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, which predisposes to coronary athero-thrombosis, leading to acute coronary syndrome. Chronic and acute emotional stress can damage certain areas of the brain, such as amygdala that are known to predispose to inflammation in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. © Nova Science Publishers, Inc.