Greater Cardiovascular Responses Research Articles

Pain catastrophizing in athletes correlates with pain and cardiovascular changes during a painful cold pressor test.

Athletes are often exposed to pain due to injury and competition. There is preliminary evidence that cardiovascular measures could be an objective measure of pain, but the cardiovascular response can be influenced by psychological factors such as catastrophizing. The purpose of our study was to use a painful cold pressor test to measure the relationship between catastrophizing, pain, and cardiovascular variables in athletes. Pre-post test. We completed all measures in a laboratory setting. Thirty-six male rugby athletes participated in the study. We measured catastrophizing with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and pain with a Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Cardiovascular measures included heart rate, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate variability. During the cold pressor test, participants experienced a significant increase in pain (0 to 4.1±2.2), systolic blood pressure (126.7±16.5mm Hg to 149.7±23.4mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (76.9±8.3mm Hg to 91.9±11.5mm Hg) and heart rate variability (from 0.0164ms±0.0121 to 0.0400ms±0.0323) (all p<.001). In addition, there was a significant decrease in heart rate after the cold pressor test (p=0.04). There was a significant correlation between athlete's pain catastrophizing to both pain intensity and change in heart rate during the cold pressor test (p=.017 and p=.003 respectively). A significant linear regression indicated pain and catastrophizing explained 29% of the variance of the change in heart rate (p=.003). Athletes who have catastrophizing thoughts are more likely to experience higher levels of pain and a greater cardiovascular response during a painful stimulus. The change in cardiovascular variables may be a good alternative for an objective measure of pain in athletes in the future.

Association Between Pain Catastrophizing and Pain and Cardiovascular Changes During a Cold-Pressor Test in Athletes.

Athletes are often exposed to pain due to injury and competition. Using preliminary evidence, researchers have shown that cardiovascular measures could be an objective measure of pain, but the cardiovascular response can be influenced by psychological factors, such as catastrophizing. To use a painful cold-pressor test (CPT) to measure the relationship among catastrophizing, pain, and cardiovascular variables in athletes. Cohort study. Laboratory. A total of 36 male rugby athletes (age = 24.0 ± 4.6 years, height = 180.0 ± 6.1 cm, mass = 90.5 ± 13.8 kg). We measured catastrophizing using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and pain using a numeric pain rating scale. Cardiovascular measures were heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate variability. During the CPT, participants experienced increases in pain (from 0 to 4.1 ± 2.2), systolic blood pressure (from 126.7 ± 16.5 to 149.7 ± 23.4 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (from 76.9 ± 8.3 to 91.9 ± 11.5 mm Hg), and heart rate variability (from 0.0164 ± 0.0121 to 0.0400 ± 0.0323 milliseconds; all P values < .001). In addition, we observed a decrease in heart rate after the CPT (P = .04). We found a correlation between athletes' pain catastrophizing and both pain intensity and change in heart rate during the CPT (P = .02 and P = .003, respectively). Linear regression indicated that pain and catastrophizing explained 29% of the variance in the change in heart rate (P = .003). Athletes who had catastrophizing thoughts were more likely to experience higher levels of pain and a greater cardiovascular response during a painful stimulus. The change in cardiovascular variables may be a good objective measure of pain in athletes in the future.

Cardiovascular Response To Unilateral, Bilateral, And Alternating Exercises With Blood Flow Restriction

The cardiovascular response induced by resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) seems to be lower or comparable to traditional exercise in healthy individuals. However, the potential for BFR to be used for at risk populations highlights a need to further attenuate the cardiovascular response, potentially via the modality of exercise. PURPOSE: To compare the cardiovascular response to unilateral (UN), bilateral (BI), and alternating (AL) BFR exercise. METHODS: 13 males and 7 females performed four sets (30 seconds rest) of UN, BI, and AL knee-extensions to failure with 30% one-repetition maximum and 40% arterial occlusion pressure. Pulse wave analysis was measured before and after exercise. Data, presented as mean (SD), were analyzed using Bayesian RMANOVA. RESULTS: AL caused greater changes in: aortic systolic [ΔmmHg: AL=21 (8); UN=13 (10); BI=15 (7); BF10=29.63], diastolic [ΔmmHg: AL=13 (8); UN=7 (10); BI=8 (7); BF10=5.13], and mean arterial [ΔmmHg: AL=19 (8); UN=11 (10); BI=13 (7); BF10=48.39] blood pressures. Brachial [ΔmmHg*bpm: AL=4945 (2340); UN=3218 (1412); BI=3461 (1430); BF10=31.74] and aortic [ΔmmHg*bpm: AL=6134 (2479); UN=4200 (1722); BI=4525 (1664); BF10=114.83] rate pressure product as well as heart rate [Δbpm: AL=26 (14); UN=18 (8); BI=19 (11); BF10=5.82] were also greatest with AL. Augmentation pressure [ΔmmHg: UN=-3 (5); BI=-2 (6); AL=-1 (6); BF10=0.19], pulse pressure [ΔmmHg: UN=6 (6); BI=7 (7); AL=8 (5); BF10=0.27], augmentation index [Δ%: UN=-6 (12); BI=-7 (11); AL=-6 (16); BF10=0.16], wave reflection magnitude [Δ%: UN=-5 (8); BI=-5 (7); AL=-4 (7); BF10=0.15], forward wave height [ΔmmHg: UN=8 (6); BI=8 (6); AL=8 (4); BF10=0.15], and reflected wave height [ΔmmHg: UN=1 (3); BI=2 (4); AL=3 (3); BF10=0.31] were not different between conditions. Exercise volume was greater in AL [kg: AL=1835 (1725); UN=915 (312); BI=893 (313); BF10=29.17]. Ratings of perceived exertion (BF10=3.99e+144) and discomfort (BF10=2.0e+73) increased with sets. AL had an elevated discomfort (BF10=5548.97). CONCLUSION: The greater cardiovascular response following alternating BFR exercise in healthy individuals, suggests those at risk of a cardiovascular event should choose unilateral or bilateral BFR exercise until further work determines the degree to which this modality can be tolerated.

Cardiovascular reactivity and oxidative stress in young and older adults: the African-PREDICT and SABPA studies

Background: Oxidative stress and increased cardiovascular reactivity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease development. These factors along with early vascular compromise are more pronounced in black populations. We aimed to compare cardiovascular reactivity and investigate associations thereof with oxidative stress in two bi-ethnic cohorts (younger: 25.0 ± 3.19yrs; older: 44.7 ± 9.61yrs).Methods: Cardiovascular reactivity using the color-word conflict test was measured with the Finometer device. Oxidative stress markers included superoxide dismutase (SOD), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).Results: Black groups displayed greater cardiovascular responses to stress than white groups. In younger white participants, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β = 0.31; p = 0.001) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (β = 0.28; p = 0.002) associated with ROS. In older black participants, DBP (β = 0.23; p = 0.009), MAP (β = 0.18; p = 0.033), stroke volume (β = −0.20; p = 0.023) and arterial compliance (β = −0.25; p = 0.005) associated with γ-GT. In older white participants, systolic blood pressure (β = −0.20; p = 0.006) and MAP (β = −0.19; p = 0.009) associated with SOD.Conclusions: In the older black group, cardiovascular reactivity associated with markers of glutathione metabolism, suggesting a possible compensatory up-regulation thereof in order to correct their heightened responses to stress. Independent of age, findings in the white groups support a regulatory role of ROS to maintain vascular tone during stress.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03292094.

Cardiovascular Responses to Unilateral, Bilateral, and Alternating Limb Resistance Exercise Performed Using Different Body Segments.

Moreira, OC, Faraci, LL, de Matos, DG, Mazini Filho, ML, da Silva, SF, Aidar, FJ, Hickner, RC, and de Oliveira, CEP. Cardiovascular responses to unilateral, bilateral and alternating limb resistance exercise performed using different body segments. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 644-652, 2017-The aim of this study was to verify and compare the cardiovascular responses to unilateral, bilateral, and alternating limb resistance exercise (RE) performed using different body segments. Fifteen men experienced in RE were studied during biceps curls, barbell rows, and knee extension exercises when performed bilaterally, unilaterally, and using alternating limbs. The protocol consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of 10 repetition maximum with 2-minute rest between sets. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured after the last repetition. There was a statistically significant increase in HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate pressure product (RPP), from rest to postexercise. The RPP was higher in the third set of all exercises and in all 3 forms of execution, when compared with the first set. Bilateral biceps curls caused a greater increase in RPP (first and second sets) and HR, compared with the same exercise performed unilaterally. Furthermore, the performance of bilateral biceps curls induced greater HR and RPP, in all sets, compared with bilateral knee extension and barbell rows. There was also a significantly higher SBP for the alternating second and third sets and also for the bilateral third set of the knee extensions as compared with the barbell rows. It was concluded from the data of this study that the cardiovascular response was increased from rest to postexercise in all forms of exercise, especially immediately after the third set of RE. For exercises performed bilaterally with the upper body (biceps curls), there was a greater cardiovascular response when compared with the same exercise performed unilaterally or with lower-body exercise performed bilaterally.

Skeletal muscle contraction triggers rapid onset pressor responses in cardiovascular disease

Skeletal muscle contraction triggers rapid onset pressor responses in cardiovascular disease

Haemodynamic responses to salbutamol and isometric exercise are altered in young adults with mild asthma

Tolerance to the haemodynamic effects of regularly inhaled beta(2) agonists has been reported in a research setting. It is unclear whether cardiovascular responses in adults with asthma are influenced by their use in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to characterise the effects of acute salbutamol administration on systemic haemodynamics in adults with mild asthma who were receiving intermittent beta(2) agonist treatment. Ten patients with mild asthma and ten healthy age and sex-matched controls were recruited to a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind two-way crossover study. Each received salbutamol 200 mug or placebo, then performed sustained isometric handgrip exercise as an adrenergic cardiovascular stimulus. Heart rate and blood pressure responses were observed during rest and exercise, and cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index were measured using non-invasive impedance cardiography. Isometric exercise caused a greater increase in heart rate (12+/-3 vs. 8+/-3 bpm, P<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (19+/-3 vs. 12+/-3 mmHg, P<0.01) in patients with asthma compared with healthy controls. Salbutamol administration significantly increased heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac index in healthy controls, but these responses were attenuated in patients with asthma. These findings indicate that adults with asthma, who are receiving intermittent beta(2) agonist treatment, have a greater cardiovascular responses to sympathetic stimulation, and haemodynamic tolerance to acute salbutamol administration.

Cardiovascular Responses to Submaximal Concentric and Eccentric Isokinetic Exercise in Older Adults

Our purpose was to describe heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and perceived exertion (RPE) responses to submaximal isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) exercise at the same absolute torque output in older adults. Peak torques for ECC and CON knee extension were determined in healthy older males (n = 13) and females (n = 7). Subjects then performed separate, randomly ordered, 2-min bouts of CON and ECC exercise. Heart rate and MAP increased (p &lt; .001) from resting values throughout both exercise bouts. CON exercise elicited a significantly greater cardiovascular response than ECC exercise after 60 s. Peak HR, MAP, and RPE after CON exercise were greater than after ECC exercise (p &lt; .01). At the same absolute torque output, isokinetic CON knee extension exercise resulted in a significantly greater level of cardiovascular stress than ECC exercise. These results are relevant to resistance testing and exercise in older people.

Psychophysiological reactivity, depression, neuroticism and type a behaviour: An interactive effect?

AbstractThe greater reactivity in Type A subjects is a controversial issue. It is possible that anxiety, neuroticism and depression interact with Type A behaviour pattern, giving rise to different psychophysiological reactivity. To evaluate this hypothesis we studied 70 Italian healthy male volunteers. All were blue‐collar workers. Cardiac health was confirmed by a detailed family and medical history. Individual assessment included the Structured Interview, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Depression Questionnaire (QD). To assess cardiac (rate‐pressure product) and electrodermic (skin conductance level) psychophysiological reactivity we used the following tasks: (1) Interactive Concentration Test (ICT); (2) Mental Arithmetic (MAT); (3) Workside Noises (WN). In Type A (A1 + A2) subjects a higher neuroticism score was associated with greater reactivity whereas in non A (X + B) subjects a lower neuroticism score was associated with greater reactivity. Subjects classified as Type A with lower depression scores had greater cardiovascular responses, whereas in non A subjects higher depression scores were associated with greater reactivity.

The role of worrisome thinking in the suppression of cardiovascular response to phobic imagery

Speech-fearful subjects repeatedly imagined a phobic image while heart rate and subjective reports of fear were monitored. Subject groups differed according to the type of mental activity that preceded each image. One group thought about a relaxing situation (Relaxation) and one group engaged in worrisome thinking (General-Worry). Three other groups were pre-trained to worry during their pre-image mentation periods with an emphasis on: (a) the thoughts; (b) the images; or (c) the affect experienced during worry. Cardiovascular effects occurred only on the first image presentation. Thought-Worry produced significantly less heart rate response than did Relaxation; the other worry conditions fell nonsignificantly between these two groups. Within-group correlations between heart rate response to the image and the reported predominance of thought relative to imagery during the preceding mentation period showed that: (a) greater worrisome thinking in General-Worry was related to less cardiovascular response; and (b) greater relaxed thinking in Relaxation was associated with greater cardiovascular response. These results support the hypothesis that it is the worrisome thinking aspect of worry that may inhibit the emotional processing of phobic material and that Gray's mismatch theory of anxiety elicitation may account for these effects.

Type a behavior, irritability, and cardiovascular response

Previous research suggests that high levels of hostility may augment the cardiovascular reactivity and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) associated with Type A behavior. In contrast, other research indicates that the tendency to deny or suppress anger is associated with enhanced cardiovascular reactivity and risk of CHD. To delineate further the combined role of anger processes and Type A behavior in CHD risk, this study examined the interactive effects of Type A behavior and self-reported irritability on cardiovascular response to a challenging mental task. Type A and Type B college students were further classified as either high or low in self-reported irritability. Type A subjects who were low in self-reported irritability evidenced greater cardiovascular reactivity (i.e., systolic blood pressure and pulse rate) than did Type B subjects low in irritability. However, Type A subjects who were high in irritability tended to demonstrate less cardiovascular response than Type B subjects high in irritability. Further, Type A's low in self-reported irritability evidenced greater cardiovascular response than high-irritability Type A's. It is suggested that reduced reporting of irritability by Type A's may reflect suppression or denial, and further that this reduced reporting is associated with enhanced cardiovascular responsivity.

EFFECT OF SALT LOADING ON CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE TO MENTAL STRESS IN ADOLESCENTS

The effects of salt loading on the cardiovascular response to mental stress was compared between 8 adolescents with high genetic risk (Genetic group) for essential hypertension (hypertensive parents) and 8 adolescents with low risk (Control group) (normotensive parent). Systolic (S), Diastolic (D) pressure and heart rate (HR) were monitored (Arteriosonde) at 1 minute intervals during difficult mental arithmetic. Plasma catecholamines (CA) were determined before and after stress. Subjects then consumed 10gm/day Na Cl in excess of usual diet for 14 days. Mental stress and CA were then repeated. Measurement of urine Na confirmed high salt intake. A greater cardiovascular response (greater increase in S, D, and HR) was seen in Genetic group compared to Control (p < .01). Salt loading increased BP, augmented the high D responses and suppressed CA in the Genetic group. Salt loading produced no change in BP or CA in Controls. Concl: Genetic adolescents have a higher cardiovascular response to mental stress. Some genetic adolescents are salt sensitive. Control adolescents are salt resistant.

Interpersonal interaction and cardiovascular response in type A subjects and coronary patients.

The present study tested the hypothesis that Type A subjects respond with greater cardiovascular response than Type B subjects during the structured interview used to assess the Type A pattern. Coronary patients (n = 31) and patient controls (n = 33) were subjected to the interview and a history quiz while ECG and blood pressure were monitored. As predicted, Type A relative to Type B subjects evidenced significantly greater increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which were sustained over the course of the entire 12-15 minute interview. Type A subjects compared with B's also showed significantly greater blood pressure elevations during the quiz. Coronary patients displayed significantly greater Type A attributes than control subjects and tended to show greater blood pressure elevations than controls during the interview. In addition, the quiz induced significant elevations in the blood pressure of coronary patients, but not patient controls, over that displayed during the interview, despite the presence of beta-adrenergic blocking medication. Implications of the findings for coronary-prone behavior and coronary heart disease are discussed.