Association Between Serum Cortisol Levels and Variant Angina

Variant angina (VA) is an important yet underexplored condition where mechanisms beyond atherosclerosis, including stress-related pathways, may contribute to vasospasm.We examined stress hormone profiles, with a focus on cortisol, in patients undergoing coronary angiography.Patients with VA showed consistently higher cortisol levels at admission and shortly after angiography compared with controls, even after adjustment for baseline factors.Although the small sample size and methodological limitations require cautious interpretation, these findings highlight an unmet need for better understanding of neurohormonal stress responses in VA and their potential clinical implications.