How is the physiology of stress?

Normal physio, stress causes CRF release from PVN of hypothalamus, then ACTH release from ant pituitary then increased cortisol then mobilize energy as response to threat High cortisol will cause increased cell death in hippocampus (apoptosis), brief exposure will increase hippocampal activity helps remember acute stressor. Hippocampus - feedback on cortisol after we learn about the stressor. if more cortisol, less - feedback, keeps cortisol high so chronic stress causing hippocampal cell death, MI, ventricular arrhythmias, increased catecholamines thus atherosclerosis and HTN, cortisol antagonizes insulin and causes dyslipidemia