Seriously Stressed? Hair Analysis Tells All, Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Hair analysis can reveal if seniors have elevated stress hormone levels that may put them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke, a new study suggests.

Unlike a blood test that provides information about stress hormone levels at a single point in time, analysis of a strand of hair can reveal trends in levels of the stress hormone cortisol over several months, according to the researchers.

The study, published April 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that seniors with higher long-term levels of cortisol were more likely to have heart disease.

"Like high blood pressure or abdominal fat, the findings suggest elevated cortisol levels are an important signal that an individual is at risk of cardiovascular disease," study co-lead author Dr. Laura Manenschijn, of Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, said in a news release from the Endocrine Society.

"Because scalp hair can capture information about how cortisol levels have changed over time, hair analysis gives us a better tool for evaluating that risk," she explained.

The researchers analyzed 1.2-inch samples of hair from the heads of 283 people, aged 65 to 85, and determined the participants' cortisol levels over the previous three months.

The team found that people with high cortisol levels were more likely to have a history of coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and diabetes.

"The data showed a clear link between chronically elevated cortisol levels and cardiovascular disease," the other lead author, Dr. Elisabeth van Rossum, of Erasmus Medical Center, said in the news release. "Additional studies are needed to explore the role of long-term cortisol measurement as a cardiovascular disease predictor and how it can be used to inform new treatment or prevention strategies," she said.

The research suggested a link between stress hormone levels and heart risks. It didn't prove cause-and-effect.

-- Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: The Endocrine Society, news release, April 17, 2013

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Celeb Move to Steal: Get Kimberly Perry's Seriously Toned Triceps

Country crooner Kimberly Perry has got an exciting weekend ahead: She'll get to strut her way down the red carpet at the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards knowing she and bros Reid and Neil of The Band Perry have earned a pretty-big-deal nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. If we were her, though, we might slow-mo that strut down to a sexy sashay in order to show off how hard she's worked to earn her amazing arms. (Wait, it's not all that guitar strumming?)

You'll never guess her secret weapon -- check out the cute guy behind her on drums, Boone Daughdrill. That's the dude cracking the workout whip on the Perry clan, whether they're in a gym or a green room at a hockey arena. "Kimberly's pretty strong, and she has tons of willpower," he says. "By the end of the workout, she's sweating and calling me choice names!"

To work those triceps, Daughdrill loves prescribing Bench Dips. Exercising that muscle "allows you to have more of a cut arm and takes away from that 'bye-bye wave,'" he says. (Um, you know, when the flab waves back.) No worries; Kimberly's sure to get a big HELLO from the crowd while workin' that stage on Sunday!

Bench Dip / Tricep Dip

Sit on a bench (gym, park or otherwise) or sturdy chair. Place the palms of your hands by your sides and grip the edge of the bench. Slide off the bench and support your weight with your hands. Straighten legs and brace heels against the ground. Lower your body towards the floor a few inches, keeping your elbows back and tucked in. Be sure to never lower your shoulders below the height of your elbow. Push your body back up until your arms are straight. Do 3 sets of 10-15 reps. If you are a beginner, complete the exercise with feet flat on the floor, both legs slightly bent.

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Image Credit: Getty Images Entertainment; Ben Krebs

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Facebook Users Take 'Unfriending' Seriously, Survey Finds

Title: Facebook Users Take 'Unfriending' Seriously, Survey Finds
Category: Health News
Created: 2/12/2013 10:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 2/12/2013 12:00:00 AM

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