Prof. Peter Friberg - Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Clinical Physiology, Wallenberg Laboratory, The Sahlgrenska Academy and University Hospital, University of Gothenburg

Title: Stress and Health – from youth to adult

Abstract: Swedish adolescents today frequently report high level of stress and psychological ill-health. Studies performed in adults indicate a strong association between stress and hypertension. Repeated stress long-term may result in neuro-hormonal imbalance and increase the risk for hypertension and future cardiovascular disease. Alarmingly, 60% of youths with elevated blood pressure (BP) continue to have elevated BP as adults and hence increased risk for subsequent suffering from cardiovascular events. Thus, there is urgent need to understand how adolescence stress leads to hypertension in adulthood. In particular, there is scarce knowledge about resilience factors that counteract stressful situations and allow the body quickly to recover from stress.