Are changes in blood pressure and total cholesterol related to changes in mood? An 18-month study of men and women.

The authors investigated the within-person association of reported mood with blood pressure and total cholesterol (TC) levels, each assessed 4 times over an 18-month period in 128 men and 154 women. Change over time in tense arousal was significantly positively associated with changes over time in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) but not TC. A change in hedonic tone was significantly associated with SBP (an increase in negative affect was associated with an increase in SBP) but not with DBP or TC. There were no sex differences in associations of mood with SBP or TC. However, increases in tense arousal and negative affect were significantly associated with an increase in DBP for women but not men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cardiovascular responses during effortful active coping and acute experience of anger in women

This study addresses the question of whether effortful active coping and anger provocation add in their effects on cardiovascular responses. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) responses of 64 female students were collected during an active versus nonactive coping task with and without provocation. After a baseline period, women did mental arithmetic (active coping) or read numbers aloud (nonactive coping). Half of each group was then additionally provoked. Ratings of the emotional states (Positive and Negative Affect Scale) indicate that provocation led to an increase in anger, but not in fear or negative or positive affect. Effortful active coping and provocation elevated cardiovascular activity. Although active coping enhanced all cardiovascular variables, provocation particularly affected HR and DBP. The effects of active coping and provocation on HR and DBP but not on SBP were additive and probably were produced by different physiological mechanisms.     

Ambulatory cardiovascular activity in Vietnam combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.

The present study investigated the relationship between daily diary affect ratings and ambulatory cardiovascular activity in 117 male Vietnam combat veterans (61 with posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and 56 without PTSD). Participants completed 12–14 hr of ambulatory monitoring and daily diary affect ratings. Compared with veterans without PTSD, veterans with PTSD reported higher negative affect and lower positive affect in daily diary ratings. No differences were detected for mean laboratory initial recordings or mean ambulatory heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). However, compared with veterans without PTSD, veterans with PTSD demonstrated higher SBP and DBP variability and a higher proportion of HR activity (compared with initial recording values) during daily activity. There was a significant Time of Day × Group interaction for mean HR, with a trend for PTSD participants to maintain HR levels during evening hours. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of three theories relating facial expressiveness to blood pressure in male and female undergraduates.

Examined differing predictions of how emotional expressions and blood pressure are related. Spontaneous positive and negative facial expressions, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), and reactive SBP were each measured for 148 male and female undergraduates. The discharge theory of emotions proposes that few expressions will predict higher baseline SBP, and this was found for men. A mismatch theory of emotions proposes that an imbalance between positive and negative expressions will predict higher baseline SBP, and this was supported for women. Finally, coactivation theory proposes that many expressions will predict higher reactive SBP, and this was found for both men and women. These results reconcile previous conflicting findings by clarifying the conditions under which each of these theories may be supported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship of early life stress and psychological functioning to blood pressure in the CARDIA study.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 28(4) of Health Psychology (see record 2009-10284-005). A URL for supplemental materials was included due to a production error. There are no supplemental materials for this article.] Objective: Low childhood socioeconomic status (CSES) and a harsh early family environment have been linked with health disorders in adulthood. In this study, the authors present a model to help explain these links and relate the model to blood pressure change over a 10-year period in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults sample. Design: Participants (N = 2,738) completed measures of childhood family environment, parental education, health behavior, and adult negative emotionality. Main Outcome Measures: These variables were used to predict initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) and the rate of blood pressure change over 10 years. Results: Structural equation modeling indicated that family environment was related to negative emotions, which in turn predicted baseline DBP and SBP and change in SBP. Parental education directly predicted change in SBP. Although African American participants had higher SBP and DBP and steeper increases over time, multiple group comparisons indicated that the strength of most pathways was similar across race and gender. Conclusion: Low CSES and harsh family environments help to explain variability in cardiovascular risk. Low CSES predicted increased blood pressure over time directly and also indirectly through associations with childhood family environment, negative emotionality, and health behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cardiovascular reactivity and interpersonal influence: Active coping in a social context.

Previous studies have demonstrated that effortful attempts to secure positive outcomes or avoid negative outcomes produce significant increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). Although these effects of active coping on cardiovascular reactivity are central in current psychosomatic theories, virtually all of the research to date has used impersonal, asocial tasks. Our two studies examined the cardiovascular effects of effortful attempts to influence other people. In Study 1, male subjects attempting to influence the opinions of their discussion partner to improve their own chances of winning money displayed significantly greater SBP, DBP, and HR reactivity. In Study 2, we obtained similar effects on SBP and DBP reactivity in men and women, while both preparing an influence attempt and making that attempt. Furthermore, reactivity levels were larger as the magnitude of incentive for successful persuasion increased. Implications of this interpersonal equivalent of active coping for the development of cardiovascular disease are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Blood pressure reactivity in adult male twins.

Examined possible genetic contributions to cardiovascular reactivity by contrasting patterns of association in 82 monozygotic (MZ) and 88 dizygotic adult male twin pairs (aged 21–61 yrs). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded during baseline and during a mental arithmetic task. The task produced significant elevations in all 3 cardiovascular measures. Levels of SBP and DBP reactivity were significantly correlated in MZ pairs only. Statistical tests suggest a heritability estimate of about 50% that was marginally significant for SBP and DBP changes during the task. There was no indication of a genetic influence on HR reactivity. Resting level and static task period measures of SBP, DBP, and HR demonstrated statistically significant heritability estimates of 60–80%. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Lehman, Taylor, Kiefe, and Seeman (2009).

Reports an error in "Relationship of early life stress and psychological functioning to blood pressure in the CARDIA study" by Barbara J. Lehman, Shelley E. Taylor, Catarina I. Kiefe and Teresa E. Seeman (Health Psychology, 2009[May], Vol 28[3], 338-346). A URL for supplemental materials was included due to a production error. There are no supplemental materials for this article. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2009-06704-010.) Objective: Low childhood socioeconomic status (CSES) and a harsh early family environment have been linked with health disorders in adulthood. In this study, the authors present a model to help explain these links and relate the model to blood pressure change over a 10-year period in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults sample. Design: Participants (N = 2,738) completed measures of childhood family environment, parental education, health behavior, and adult negative emotionality. Main Outcome Measures: These variables were used to predict initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) and the rate of blood pressure change over 10 years. Results: Structural equation modeling indicated that family environment was related to negative emotions, which in turn predicted baseline DBP and SBP and change in SBP. Parental education directly predicted change in SBP. Although African American participants had higher SBP and DBP and steeper increases over time, multiple group comparisons indicated that the strength of most pathways was similar across race and gender. Conclusion: Low CSES and harsh family environments help to explain variability in cardiovascular risk. Low CSES predicted increased blood pressure over time directly and also indirectly through associations with childhood family environment, negative emotionality, and health behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Appraisal support predicts age-related differences in cardiovascular function in women.

The influence of appraisal support on age-related differences in cardiovascular function was examined. Resting assessments of heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and preejection period were obtained from 45 young and 20 elderly women. Consistent with prior research, results revealed that the elderly women had higher blood pressure and lower RSA than the young women. More important, appraisal support predicted age-related differences in SBP and DBP: Age predicted elevated blood pressure for women low in appraisal support, whereas age was unrelated to blood pressure for women high in appraisal support. These preliminary data suggest that appraisal support may be an important predictor of long-term physiological function and health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The informational impact of mood on effort mobilization: A study of cardiovascular and electrodermal responses.

The impact of mood on effort quantified as autonomic adjustments was investigated in an experiment. The authors induced positive versus negative moods with either 1 of 2 mood induction procedures (music versus autobiographical recollection) that differed in the extent of required effort. Then participants performed an achievement task after demand appraisals were made. Results were as predicted. During the mood inductions, autonomic reactivity (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance responses) was stronger in the relatively effortful recollection conditions than in the relatively effortless music conditions. Mood valence had no impact here. But in the context of task performance, the authors found (a) mood congruency effects on the demand appraisals that reflected subjectively higher demand in a negative than in a positive mood, and (b) stronger SBP reactivity in a negative mood compared with a positive mood. Furthermore, SBP reactivity during task performance was correlated with achievement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of task strain, social conflict, and emotional activation on ambulatory cardiovascular activity: Daily life consequences of recurring stress in a multiethnic adult sample.

Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) may be an independent predictor of cardiovascular endpoints, but little is known about its psychosocial determinants. The acute effects of psychosocial processes on cardiovascular activity during daily life were examined by random-effects regression. Healthy adults (N?=?120) were monitored over a 6-day period with ABP monitors and computer-assisted self-report assessments. Task strain, social conflict, and emotional activation were rated following each ABP measurement, as were activity, posture, and other covariates. Results show that blood pressure) (BP) and heart rate (HR) were elevated during periods of emotional activation (high negative affect or high arousal). Diastolic BP was lower during periods involving high decisional control, and HR was lower during high-control, low-demand activities. There were substantial individual differences in the effects of psychosocial influences on ambulatory cardiovascular activity. Psychological factors are reliable determinants of ABP, which may account for the unique predictive value of ABP. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Chronic stress influences cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses during acute stress and recovery, especially in men.

This study tests the influence of chronic stress on cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to and recovery from acute stressors and whether the effects are gender specific. Sixty-two healthy, middle-aged persons (50% women) performed mental-arithmetic and public-speaking tasks and relaxed thereafter for 1 hr while their cardiovascular and neuroendocrine functions were measured. Participants with higher levels of chronic stress showed lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and epinephrine (E; men only) and marginally lower levels of norepinephrine (NE) responses to the tasks and showed lower levels of cortisol and marginally lower NE responses during recovery. Relative to women, men had high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) responses to the tasks and high SBP, DBP, and E responses during recovery. Gender differences in cardiovascular disease in midlife may be due to gender differences in inability to recover quickly, in addition to enhanced acute-stress response. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Seasonal variation of blood pressure and its relationship to ambient temperature in an elderly population

OBJECTIVE: To measure the magnitude and timing of seasonal variation of blood pressure and related factors in the elderly living in the community, and to assess their potential impact on cardiovascular risk. DESIGN: Prospective study; from January 1991 to February 1992 blood pressure and other variables were measured at 2-monthly intervals in each subject in their own homes. SUBJECTS: Ninety-six men and women, age range 65-74 years, recruited from a single group general practice in Cambridge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seasonal variation of blood pressure, seasonal variation of prevalence of hypertension, seasonal variation of ambient temperature and body mass index. RESULTS: Both systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were greatest during the winter across the whole distribution of blood pressure. There was a fourfold increase in the proportion of subjects with blood pressures > 160/90 mmHg in winter compared with in summer. Regression analysis revealed highly significant seasonal differences in both SBP and DBP. After adjustment for confounding seasonal effects, a 1 degree C decrease in living-room temperature was associated with rises of 1.3 mmHg in SBP and 0.6 mmHg in DBP. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal variation of blood pressure is heightened in older adults and may partly explain the greater cardiovascular disease mortality of elderly subjects during the winter. The blood pressures of elderly people may be inversely related to the ambient temperature. The public health implications of these findings deserve further investigation.     

Cardiovascular risks of hypertension: lessons from observational studies

Hypertension is an acknowledged major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in both men and women. Despite a historical focus by clinicians on the importance of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) risks, epidemiologic data from numerous large-scale studies have clearly demonstrated that both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP are important determinants of cardiovascular risk. Recent analyses have described notable risks associated with isolated and borderline elevations of SBP, which predominate in the elderly, emphasizing the independent contribution of elevated SBP in determining overall risk. Overviews of large-scale treatment trials show that antihypertensive drug treatment confers a favorable net clinical benefit in patients with diastolic and isolated systolic hypertension, and the magnitude of risk reduction is comparable to that expected from the observational data. However, at any level of SBP or DBP, the absolute magnitude of risk varies widely depending on the burden of coexisting risk factors present. Therefore, it is essential that decisions regarding the urgency, risks and benefits of antihypertensive drug treatments be informed by accurate determinations of overall cardiovascular risk.     

Memories of social interactions: Age differences in emotional intensity.

The current study examined age differences in the intensity of emotions experienced during social interactions. Because emotions are felt most intensely in situations central to motivational goals, age differences in emotional intensity may exist in social situations that meet the goals for one age group more than the other. Guided by theories of emotional intensity and socioemotional selectivity, it was hypothesized that social partner type would elicit different affective responses by age. Younger (n = 71) and older (n = 71) adults recalled experiences of positive and negative emotions with new friends, established friends, and family members from the prior week. Compared with younger adults, older adults reported lower intensity positive emotions with new friends, similarly intense positive emotions with established friends, and higher intensity positive emotions with family members. Older adults reported lower intensity negative emotions for all social partners than did younger adults, but this difference was most pronounced for interactions with new friends. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship between mood and blood pressure in the natural environment: An adolescent population.

Examined the relation between psychological variables and blood pressure (BP) as 28 male 13–18 yr olds engaged in their customary activities over 24 hrs. During the ambulatory monitoring, Ss monitored mood state, perceptions of the environment, and ambulatory BP at 30-min intervals. Systolic BP (SBP) reactivity to laboratory stressors was significantly correlated with average SBP in the home environment. Ambulatory SBP was positively associated with worried, hostile, depressed, and tense mood ratings. Ambulatory diastolic BP was correlated with hostile, depressed, and upset mood ratings as well as with hostile perceptions of the environment. In general, average ambulatory BP appeared to be associated with negative emotions and perceptions of the environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Appraisal-emotion relationships in daily life.

Using a daily process design, the present study examined relationships between momentary appraisals and emotional experience based on Smith and Lazarus' (1993) theory of emotions (1993). Nine times a day for 2 weeks, participants (N = 33, 23 women) recorded their momentary experience of 2 positive emotions (joy, love) and 4 negative emotions (anger, guilt, fear, sadness) and the core relational theme appraisal contents Smith and Lazarus hypothesized as corresponding to these emotions. A series of multilevel modeling analyses found that the hypothesized relationships between appraisal contents and these emotions were stronger than relationships between contents and other emotions, although appraisals were related to other emotions in many cases. Moreover, there were some individual differences in the strength of these relationships. These results suggest that there are no one-to-one relationships between appraisal contents and specific emotional experiences, and that specific emotions are associated with different appraisal contents, and that specific appraisals are associated with different emotions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ultrasound diagnosis in primary staging of head-neck tumors

The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum number of consecutive blood pressure cuff inflations required to obtain seated stable resting baseline measurements of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Sixty male college students aged 18 to 31 years volunteered as study subjects. Thirteen observations of HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were recorded at 90-second intervals for each subject using a Critikon-Dinamap monitor. Stable readings for SBP and MAP were obtained in 6.5 minutes or 3 to 5 cuff inflations in the population tested. Using this procedure, additional age- and gender-specific norms could be established for normal and hypertensive subjects. Knowing the approximate quantity and frequency of blood pressure cuff inflations needed to generate baseline minimum measurements of HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP will be helpful in studies of cardiovascular reactivity, as well as for clinical and psychophysiologic treatment of hypertension.     

Detection of early anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer with dobutamine stress echocardiography

Although several studies have examined differences in daily blood pressure variability between African-American and Caucasian groups in the United States, little is known about the blood pressure variation of other ethnic groups. This study examined the effects of emotional state, setting, posture, and ethnicity on the ambulatory blood pressure of female health care workers (nurses and nurse's aides) from 2 ethnic groups: Filipino-Americans (N = 38) and Caucasians (N = 22). Ambulatory blood pressure measurements were obtained at 15-min intervals during a typical work day. Participants reported in a diary their setting (work or home), posture, mood, and specific activity at each measurement. The effects of these factors and ethnicity were examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that for all subjects blood pressure was higher at work (P < 0.05), while standing (P < 0.05), during reports of negative moods (anxiety, anger, or sadness) (P < 0.05), and while engaging in activities such as interacting with fellow staff members at work and "washing up" at home. However, the Filipino-American women reported negative moods more frequently than their Caucasian counterparts (P < 0.05), had a greater proportion of readings taken while standing at work, and reacted differently than the Caucasian women to some specific activities; for instance, their blood pressure was not elevated when doing household chores. These results suggest that the extent of blood pressure variation in daily life may depend upon cognitive processes which are influenced by the cultural background and emotional state of the individual. They further suggest that ethnicity has an important impact on blood pressure variation.     

Daily stress, coping, and well-being in parents of children with autism: A multilevel modeling approach.

This study used a repeated daily measurement design to examine the direct and moderating effects of coping on daily psychological distress and well-being in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Twice weekly over a 12-week period, 93 parents provided reports of their daily stress, coping responses, and end-of-day mood. Multilevel modeling analyses identified 5 coping responses (e.g., seeking support, positive reframing) that predicted increased daily positive mood and 4 (e.g., escape, withdrawal) that were associated with decreased positive mood. Similarly, 2 coping responses were associated with decreased daily negative mood and 5 predicted increased negative mood. The moderating effects of gender and the 11 coping responses were also examined. Gender did not moderate the daily coping?mood relationship, however 3 coping responses (emotional regulation, social support, and worrying) were found to moderate the daily stress?mood relationship. Additionally, ASD symptomatology, and time since an ASD diagnosis were not found to predict daily parental mood. This study is perhaps the first to identify coping responses that enhance daily well-being and mitigate daily distress in parents of children with ASD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)