Cognitive response to a cold pressor challenge in high and low blood pressure reactive subjects.
To examine the relationship between cognitive and cardiovascular reactions to a cold pressor challenge, 20 high and 20 low blood-pressure-reactive males were identified. Subjects were trained using a think-aloud procedure and asked to report their thoughts aloud during task presentation. In comparison to low-reactors, high-reactive subjects exhibited greater increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but not heart rate, in response to the task. High-reactive subjects reported fewer distracting self-statements than low-reactors during the task. No group differences in positive, neutral, or negative self-statements were observed. These findings corroborate the importance of distraction strategies in mediating acute cardiovascular reactions to stress.
Heiden
L A
LA
Department of Psychology, San Jose State University, CA 95192-0120.
Larkin
K T
KT
Knowlton
G E
GE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012684:Sensory Thresholds