Vascular reactivity in medical students followed for 10 yr

Abstract

The initial and control blood pressure, and pulse, as well as the cold pressor response was determined in a group of 173 medical students and repeated after 9–10 yr in 73 of these. A low normal range for the control blood pressure was found, and there was little change over the 9 yr period. No relationship could be shown between heredity and hyperreactivity, nor was there a relationship between a positive cold pressor response and the other manifestations of hyperreactivity. The various criteria for hyperreactivity were not consistent over a 3 yr period. Finally, those with elevated pressor initially did not tend to rise over the period of follow-up.