- Consequences of high cortisol
- 1. Increased heart rate
- 2. Increased blood sugar levels
- 3. Increase in abdominal fat
- 4. Easier to have diseases
Cortisol is popularly known as a stress hormone, since in these moments there is a greater production of this hormone. In addition to being increased in stressful situations, cortisol may also increase during physical activity and as a result of endocrine diseases, such as Cushing's Syndrome.
Changes in cortisol levels can influence various processes in the body and mainly weaken the immune system. This is because, among other functions, cortisol is responsible for controlling both physiological and psychological stress, and for reducing inflammation.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands responsible for regulating various processes that take place in the body. The production and release of this hormone in the bloodstream happens regularly and following the circadian cycle, with greater production in the morning upon waking.
Learn more about the functions of cortisol.
Consequences of high cortisol
High cortisol is very common in people who suffer from chronic stress, as the body is constantly producing the hormone to get the body ready to resolve stressful situations, which end up not being resolved. During these periods, the adrenal glands also produce adrenaline and norepinephrine which, together with cortisol, cause some changes in the body, the main ones being:
1. Increased heart rate
With the increase in the amount of cortisol in the blood and, consequently, of adrenaline and noradrenaline, the heart starts to pump more blood, increasing the amount of oxygen in the muscles. In addition, as a consequence of increased cortisol, blood vessels may narrow, forcing the heart to work harder, increasing blood pressure and favoring the onset of heart disease.
2. Increased blood sugar levels
This is because increased levels of cortisol can decrease, in the medium and long term, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, with no regulation of blood sugar and, thus, favoring diabetes.
On the other hand, as the amount of sugar in the blood increases, higher levels of cortisol can increase the amount of energy available in the body, as it prevents the sugar from being stored and can soon be used by the muscles.
3. Increase in abdominal fat
Long-term decrease in insulin production can also lead to excessive fat accumulation in the abdominal region.
4. Easier to have diseases
As cortisol is also related to the proper functioning of the immune system, changes in its concentration in the blood can weaken the immune system, increasing the likelihood of a person having diseases, such as a cold, flu or other types of infection.
