Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
BP reactivity to public speaking in stage 1 hypertension: influence of different task scenarios
Paolo Palatini1, Paolo Bratti, Daniela Palomba
1Clinica Medica 4, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. palatini@unipd.it
Aim:
To investigate the blood pressure (BP) reaction to public speaking performed according to different emotionally distressing scenarios in stage 1 hypertension. METHODS. We assessed 64 hypertensive and 30 normotensive subjects. They performed three speech tasks with neutral, anger and anxiety scenarios. BP was assessed with the Finometer beat-to-beat non-invasive recording system throughout the test procedure.
Results:
For all types of speech, the systolic BP response was greater in the hypertensive than the normotensive subjects (all p < 0.001). At repeated-measures analysis of covariate (R-M ANCOVA), a significant group-by-time interaction was found for all scenarios (p ≤ 0.001). For the diastolic BP response, the between-group difference was significant for the task with anxiety scenario (p < 0.05). At R-M ANCOVA, a group-by-time interaction of borderline statistical significance was found for the speech with anxiety content (p = 0.053) but not for the speeches with neutral or anger content. Within the hypertensive group, the diastolic BP increments during the speeches with anxiety and anger scenarios were greater than those during the speech with neutral scenario (both p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
These data indicate that reactivity to public speaking is increased in stage 1 hypertension. A speech with anxiety or anger scenario elicits a greater diastolic BP reaction than tasks with neutral content.
Related Concept Videos
Hypertension I: Introduction
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Factors affecting Blood pressure
Physiological Factors:
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.

