The influence of social situations on ambulatory blood pressure.
Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels were assessed and types of activities were recorded every 20 min for a 12-hr period in 131 normotensive or mild-moderate hypertensive subjects. Systolic (S)BP and diastolic (D)BP levels varied significantly as a function of the social situation (alone, with family, with friends, or with strangers). BP levels were lowest when subjects were with family and were highest when subjects were with strangers.
Spitzer
S B
SB
Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124.
Llabre
M M
MM
Ironson
G H
GH
Gellman
M D
MD
Schneiderman
N
N
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D012919:Social Behavior; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment