Study of Stress Levels After Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack by Measuring Cortisol in Hair Samples

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand long-term stress in patients who have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest OHCA or a heart attack. Stress is known to affect heart health and may influence the onset and progression of cardiac arrest, but specific data linking stress to OHCA is limited. The study focuses on measuring stress hormone levels to better understand how stress relates to cardiac events and patient outcomes. Participants will provide a small 3 cm hair sample to measure cortisol, a hormone that builds up in hair over time and reflects average stress levels over the past three months. The study includes two groups patients with cardiac arrest and patients with heart attacks. Researchers will compare cortisol levels between these groups and relate them to clinical data, including neurological outcomes and severity of organ damage after resuscitation. During the study, participants hair cortisol levels will be analyzed and correlated with medical records and care received before and during hospital stays. Neurological function and organ damage will be assessed at 30 and 90 days after cardiac arrest. The study will take place from early 2026 to late 2027, involving regular follow-up assessments to understand how stress impacts recovery and long-term health after these heart-related events.

The Role of Stress in Cardiac Arrest (Cortizol CPR)