Blunted cardiovascular and cortisol reactivity to acute psychological stress: A summary of results from the Dutch Famine Birth Cohort Study

► We measured cardiovascular (CV) and cortisol stress reactivity in a large cohort. ► High BP reactivity was associated with increased risk for hypertension 5 years later. ► Low CV reactivity with obesity, depression, poor health, lung and cognitive function ► Low cortisol reactivity was also associated with all of these adverse outcomes. ► Findings support the idea that low stress reactivity marks an adverse health status.