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Plasma lipid concentrations during episodic occupational stress

  • Empirical Articles
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

The possibility that stress affects plasma lipid concentrations has been the subject of recent investigation, but the findings are equivocal in nonlaboratory settings. To determine whether psychological stress contributes to variability in plasma lipid concentrations and concomitant changes in health behaviors, the effect of increased work load on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins was examined in 173 lawyers. Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein concentrations were studied during periods of high work load (corresponding to impending tax deadlines) and during periods of usual work load. Self-reports of stress, work load, and time pressure, and cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured to verify that impending deadlines were associated with increased stress levels. Health behaviors which may affect plasma lipoprotein concentrations, including dietary intake and exercise, were also examined. High work load was accompanied by increases in self-reported work load among lawyers most directly affected by the impending deadlines. Plasma apolipoprotein B and triglycerides increased during periods of high work load (M=1.9 mg/dL,SD=10.1 andM=5.3,SD=34.4, respectively). No changes in dietary intake and exercise were observed. Psychological stress (high work load) is associated with potentially atherogenic changes in plasma lipid concentrations. While the lipoprotein effect of this short-term work stress is small, the effects of longer-term stress on multiple risk factors including triglycerides and apolipoprotein B could have significance for the development of coronary artery disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Box 359911, 98104-2499, Seattle, WA

    Barbara S. McCann, G. Andrew H. Benjamin, Charles W. Wilkinson, Barbara M. Retzlaff, Joan Russo & Robert H. Knopp

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  1. Barbara S. McCann
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  2. G. Andrew H. Benjamin
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  3. Charles W. Wilkinson
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  4. Barbara M. Retzlaff
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  5. Joan Russo
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  6. Robert H. Knopp
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Additional information

Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by HL45707 and DK35816 (Clinical Nutrition Research Unit).

The assistance of Holly Callahan, James Carter, Elizabeth Colasurdo, Margaret Poole, Barbara Scheffler, Mary Vaughan, Richard Vertz, and Chi H. Yun is gratefully acknowledged.

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McCann, B.S., Benjamin, G.A.H., Wilkinson, C.W. et al. Plasma lipid concentrations during episodic occupational stress. ann. behav. med. 21, 103–110 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02908290

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