Elevated Fasting Plasma Cortisol Is Associated with Ischemic Heart Disease and Its Risk Factors in People with Type 2 Diabetes: The Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study

Abstract

The previously described associations between HPA axis activation and features of the metabolic syndrome are present among people with type 2 diabetes. Elevated plasma cortisol is also associated with a greater prevalence of ischemic heart disease, independent of conventional risk factors. Understanding the role of cortisol in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease merits further exploration.