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Reproducibility of blood pressure response to the cold pressor test: the GenSalt Study
Qi Zhao1, Lydia A Bazzano, Jie Cao
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
Insights
Blood pressure response to the cold pressor test (CPT) is a stable trait. This study found high correlations in blood pressure levels and responses during repeated CPTs over 4.5 years.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Hypertension Research
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated blood pressure (BP) response during the cold pressor test (CPT) is linked to higher hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk.
- The long-term stability and reproducibility of BP response to CPT remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reproducibility and long-term stability of blood pressure response to the cold pressor test.
Main Methods:
- The cold pressor test was repeated after 4.5 years in 568 participants from a previous study in rural northern China.
- Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer before and at intervals after hand immersion in ice water (3°C-5°C) for 1 minute.
Main Results:
- Absolute blood pressure levels during CPT showed high correlations between initial and repeated measurements (e.g., systolic BP at 0 minutes, r=0.67).
- Systolic blood pressure responses during CPT also demonstrated significant correlations over time (e.g., maximum response, r=0.42).
- All correlations were statistically significant (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Blood pressure response to the cold pressor test is a stable and reproducible characteristic in the general population over a 4.5-year period.
Abstract:
An elevated blood pressure (BP) response to the cold pressor test (CPT) is associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, it is still unclear whether BP response to the CPT is a stable and reproducible trait over time. Using the same study protocol, the authors repeated the CPT 4.5 years after initial administration among 568 Han Chinese in rural northern China (2003-2005 and 2008-2009). BP was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer prior to and 0, 1, 2, and 4 minutes after the participants immersed their hand in ice water (3°C-5°C) for 1 minute. Absolute BP levels and BP responses during the CPT in the initial and repeated administrations were highly correlated. For example, the correlation coefficients were 0.67, 0.73, 0.71, and 0.72 for absolute systolic BP levels at 0, 1, 2, and 4 minutes after ice-water immersion (all P 's < 0.0001). The correlation coefficients for systolic BP response were 0.41 at 0 minutes, 0.37 at 1 minute, 0.42 for maximum response, and 0.39 for the area under the curve during CPT (all P 's < 0.0001). These data indicate that BP response to the CPT is a long-term reproducible and stable characteristic in the general population.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:28Special 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.
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure: