High blood pressure
Cortisol raises our blood pressure directly by shrinking blood vessels. It raises blood pressure indirectly by making us obese, and obesity raises our blood pressure. Cardiovascular disease makes our arteries stiff, and it takes more pressure to pump blood through stiff arteries. The drawing shows how these factors interact to raise our blood pressure.
More information on high blood pressure
The causes and consequences of high blood pressure are explained in more detail in Chapter 6 of The Potbelly Syndrome.
Brookes MJ, Iqbal TH, Cooper BT. Hypertension and hepatic steatosis. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2008 Jun;10(3):182-7.
van Uum SH, Lenders JW, Hermus AR. Cortisol, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, and hypertension. Semin Vasc Med. 2004 May;4(2):121-8. Review.
Ferrari P. Cortisol and the renal handling of electrolytes: role in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension and bone disease. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Dec;17(4):575-89. Review.
Kelly JJ, Martin A, Whitworth JA. Role of erythropoietin in cortisol-induced hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2000 Mar;14(3):195-8.
Duprez D, De Buyzere M, Paelinck M, Rubens R, Dhooge W, Clement DL. Relationship between left ventricular mass index and 24-h urinary free cortisol and cortisone in essential arterial hypertension. J Hypertens. 1999 Nov;17(11):1583-8.
Kelly JJ, Mangos G, Williamson PM, Whitworth JA. Cortisol and hypertension. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol Suppl. 1998 Nov;25:S51-6. Review.
