There is considerable evidence that perceived stress can cause signifi
cant and occasionally large increases of plasma total and LDL choleste
rol levels. This may be due to induced emotional anxiety that increase
s sympathetic nervous system activity and thereby suppresses LDL chole
sterol receptors. Moreover, different behavioral states may be associa
ted with more sustained effects. Thus, states of behavioral ,,activati
on'' tend to be associated with higher cholesterol levels, and withdra
wal from life activities with lower levels.