Postprandial systolic blood pressure and subsyndromal depression

Changes in systolic blood pressure following the consumption of a standard meal were measured. We hypothesized that larger postprandial drops in systolic blood pressure would be associated with elevated subsyndromal depressive symptomatology. Following an overnight fast, individuals consumed a liquid meal. Blood pressure and pulse were measured preprandially and during the 90-min postprandial period. Several days later, individuals completed a test for depression. Men and women, patients and caregivers, aged 51 to 82 years, were recruited at an outpatient geriatric day care center. Measurements included systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse, and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Results showed that the larger the drop in systolic blood pressure, the higher level of somatic depressive symptomatology. This is the first study to identify depressive symptomatology associated with postprandial systolic blood pressure. These results parallel those reported by Perlmuter and Greenberg (Experimental Aging Research, 22, 325-341, 1996) showing that orthostatic changes in systolic blood pressure were associated with elevated subsyndromal depression.