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Hemodynamic and endocrine effects of mental stress in untreated borderline hypertension
J D Spence1, S B Manuck, C Munoz
1Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Insights
Mental arithmetic and mirror tracing tasks significantly elevate blood pressure and heart rate in borderline hypertension patients. These stress responses correlate with lipid changes, suggesting implications for atherosclerosis progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuropsychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Borderline hypertension poses risks for cardiovascular complications.
- Hemodynamic reactivity to psychological stress is a potential factor in hypertension and atherosclerosis.
- Understanding stress-induced physiological changes is crucial for managing hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the physiological and metabolic effects of mental arithmetic and mirror tracing in untreated borderline hypertensive patients.
- To investigate the relationship between hemodynamic reactivity to stress and changes in lipids and hormones.
- To assess the utility of these tasks in evaluating stress responses relevant to atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- 40 untreated patients with borderline hypertension underwent standardized mental arithmetic and mirror tracing protocols.
- Hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, peripheral resistance) were monitored.
- Plasma renin, catecholamines, cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL levels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Both mental arithmetic and mirror tracing significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac index, while decreasing peripheral resistance.
- Mental arithmetic uniquely elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL.
- No significant changes in plasma catecholamines were observed.
- Lipid changes were correlated with blood pressure changes.
Conclusions:
- Psychological stress, induced by mental arithmetic and mirror tracing, elicits significant hemodynamic changes in borderline hypertension.
- Mental arithmetic also impacts lipid profiles, suggesting a link between stress, hemodynamics, and metabolic changes.
- These tasks offer valuable tools for studying stress-induced cardiovascular changes and their potential role in atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Mental arithmetic and mirror tracing were compared in 40 untreated patients with borderline hypertension, tested in random sequence in standardized protocols. Both tasks significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, plasma renin, and decreased peripheral resistance. Mental arithmetic also increased cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL; plasma catecholamines were not changed significantly. Lipid changes were correlated with blood pressure changes. These methods will be useful in exploring the relationships between hemodynamic reactivity to stress, and the presence and progression of atherosclerosis, as well as testing the effects of antihypertensive drugs on stress-induced changes that may influence atherosclerotic complications of hypertension.