Teaching the interrelationship between stress, emotions, and cardiovascular risk using a classic paper by Walter Cannon

Departments of Integrative Physiology and Medical Education, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: P. A. Gwirtz, Dept. of Integrative Physiology, Univ. of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107 (e-mail: gwirtzp{at}hsc.unt.edu ) Abstract Classroom discussion of the classic article by Walter B. Cannon in 1914, entitled "The emergency function of the adrenal medulla in pain and the major emotions," is an excellent tool to teach graduate students the interaction between stress, emotions, and cardiovascular function. Using this article, we are able to review important early research by Dr. Cannon, including discussion of his scientific methods and results and how they hold true today. This article outlines how this classic paper is used to allow students to explore basics principles of cardiovascular control during stress. The teaching points that are presented illustrate how students can be directed to understand the interrelationship between chronic stress and cardiovascular disease. Key words: epinephrine; adrenal