--- title: "Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress)" description: "Hair cortisol is a promising biomarker for chronic stress linked to cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, but more robust research is needed." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html" type: "study" study_key: "s149" journal: "Curr Cardiol Rep" year: 2019 pmid: "31471749" doi: "10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress) [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress) **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s149 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Curr Cardiol Rep | | Year | 2019 | | PMID | [31471749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31471749/) | | DOI | [10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7) | | Study key | s149 | ## Takeaway Hair cortisol is a promising biomarker for chronic stress linked to cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, but more robust research is needed. ## The question What is the role of hair cortisol as a biomarker for chronic stress in cardiovascular disease (CVD)? ## Hypothesis Hair cortisol may be a reliable biomarker of chronic stress, and elevated levels may be associated with the incidence, prognosis, and cardiometabolic risk factors of CVD. ## Methods This is a review article that outlines the cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess and provides an overview of recent studies investigating the relationship between hair cortisol and CVD. It also discusses clinical implications, limitations, and future research directions. ## Results Hair cortisol provides quantification of total cortisol secreted into hair over several weeks, making it a potential biomarker for chronic stress. Elevated hair cortisol levels are associated with both the incidence of CVD and poorer recovery and treatment outcomes. Increased hair cortisol concentration has also been linked with cardiometabolic risk factors for CVD, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and adiposity. ## Conclusion Hair cortisol is a promising biomarker of chronic cortisol excess that may contribute to both the pathogenesis and prognosis of CVD. ## Limitations The current evidence relies on small-scale cross-sectional studies. ## Verbatim from the abstract > elevated hair cortisol levels are associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Saliva Cortisol Stress Test | Preliminary | [Saliva Cortisol Stress Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/149.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress)** Curr Cardiol Rep 2019 · [PMID 31471749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31471749/) · [DOI 10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7) > elevated hair cortisol levels are associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html","name":"Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress)","description":"Hair cortisol is a promising biomarker for chronic stress linked to cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, but more robust research is needed.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress)","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s149.html#study","name":"Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress)","headline":"Evidence: Hair cortisol (chronic stress)","datePublished":"2019","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Curr Cardiol Rep"},"identifier":"PMID:31471749","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31471749/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7","abstract":"Hair cortisol is a promising biomarker for chronic stress linked to cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, but more robust research is needed."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Saliva Cortisol Stress Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/149.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Hair cortisol, perceived stress, and resilience as predictors of coronary arterial disease](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d34652868.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).