Cardiovascular reactivity to mental and physical stress in offspring of hypertensive parents

Abstract

Background: Exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to stressful stimuli is a risk factor for the development of hypertension. The genetic influence on blood pressure (BP) reactivity to stress and its control mechanisms has been receiving considerable support. Aim and Objective: The study aims at comparing the reactivity scores of mental arithmetic stress test and cold pressor test (ΔMAST, ΔCPT) in offspring with and without genetic predisposition to hypertension. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 40 medical students with diagnosed hypertensive parents and an equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls aged 17–20 years. Each subject was exposed to two different stress tests on 2 successive days. Cardiovascular parameters: BP – systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP, pulse rate, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure and rate pressure product were calculated before, during. and after the test. The reactivity scores were analyzed using independent t-test or Mann–Whitney test. P