[Temporal evolution of blood pressure and heart rate reaction to various stressors in coronary and non-coronary subjects (author's transl)]. / Evolution temporelle des variables hémodynamiques en résponse au stress.

The temporal evolution of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in reaction to several stresses is measured in a group of 21 post myocardial infarction and 21 non coronary subjects. Heart rate modifications depend essentially upon the nature of stress: catheterization induces tachycardia while a stressing film induces bradycardia. These observations can be connected to environmental intake or rejection. During catheterization stress, the systolic blood pressure is high in both groups but returns to its normal values as soon as the intervention ends. In response to anxiety films, it persists higher in coronary patients than in normal subjects, who do not seem to react to this kind of stress. These results arise the question of either a longer recuperation, or a different reactivity to symbolic stressors (films).

[Temporal evolution of fibrinogen and platelets in reaction to various stressors in coronary and non-coronary subjects (author's transl)]. / Evolution temporelle du fibrinogéne et du nombre de plaquettes en réponse au stress.

Twenty-one postmyocardial infarction patients are compared with twenty-one matching non-coronary subjects. Fibrinogen level as well as whole blood platelet count were measured six times for each subject in a timespan of 2 hours, during which two stress situations are induced. Throughout the experiment, non-coronary subjects show significantly lower levels of fibrinogen and higher blood platelet count. These two variables follow a specific temporal evolution. Stressfull situations are directly related with a significant decrease in the whole blood platelet count. Films inducing a directional anxiety match a lower blood platelet count, as compared to films inducing a diffuse anxiety. A link may be hypothesized between the stress-induced decrease in blood platelet count and the relative thrombopenia of coronary patients.

[Temporal evolution of lipids in reaction to various stressors in coronary and non-coronary subjects (author's transl)]. / Evolution temporelle des lipides en résponse au stress.

In order to assess the impact of coronary disease on sequential physiological reactions to stress, this study compares 21 post myocardial infarction patients with 21 matching non-coronary subjects. In each group, levels of phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, FFA, alpha-, beta, pre-beta-lipoproteins and the ratio cholesterol/triglycerides are assessed, six times consecutively in a timespan of 2 hours. Concomitantly, two stressful situations are induced: the first stress is catheterization, the second is a film implementing either a focused-or diffused anxiety. Phospholipids react essentially to catheterization stress. While the ratio cholesterol/triglycerides turns out to be sensitive to psychological stress, neither cholesterol nor triglycerides alter individually when psychological stress is present. Throughout the experiment, levels of beta-lipoproteins very significantly in time and with respect to the theme of the film attended; coronary patients do not show the same sequential variations as normal subjects do. Variations in alpha-lipoproteins differentiate coronary from normal subjects. Levels of FFA vary according to the nature of the film attended and differ in normal and coronary subjects: extreme values are observed in normal subjects rather than coronary patients. Hyperlipidemia, as a reaction to stress, is a process interlinked with many factors, each increasing the liability of coronary disease.

[Temporal evolution of neuro-endocrine secretions in reaction to various stressors in coronary and non-coronary subjects (author's transl)]. / Evolution temporelle des variables neuro-endocrines en résponse au stress.

The purpose of this study is a comparison of sequential physiolocical reactions to different stressors in 21 post-myocardial infarction and 21 non-coronary subjects. Two stressful situations are induced in a timespan of 2 hours; the first stress is catheterization, the second is a film implementing either a focused or a diffuse anxiety. Throughout the experiment, the following physiological parameters are assessed six times consecutively: levels of catecholamines, cortisol, TSH, insulin and the ratios: adrenalin/fnor-adrenalin and adrenalin/cortisol. Results indicate that levels of adrenalin and cortisol show specific variations with time and are most sensitive to catheterization. Levels of nor-adrenalin very differently with time among coronary patients, as well as they do in normal subjects. Individuals submitted to focused anxiety show increased levels of catecholamines and cotisol, as well as a lower level of insulin than subjects submitted to diffuse anxiety. The sequential evolution of cortisol differs in coronary patients and normal subjects and in function of the type of film attended. Physiological reactions to stress and far more specific and interdependent than prior studies stated in the past. They vary with the degree and the nature of stress. It is our belief that there is no standardised response to stress.