As stress develops, the levels of circulatory catecholamines, corticotropins, and cortisol increase, which results in elevated heart rate and blood pressure, increased hemostatic factors and blood viscosity,27 and impaired endothelial function.28 The sympathetic activity also increases the levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein.29 These effects from dysregulated HPA axis may cause atherosclerosis. This evidence concerns the gene POMC and atherosclerosis.