Cardiovascular reactivity patterns elicited by the cold pressor test as a function of aging.
OBJECTIVE
The cold pressor test has been widely used in previous cardiovascular reactivity studies as a predictor of hypertension. However, the influence of the physical adaptations of the arterial wall with increasing age on reactivity has not been delineated.


METHODS
64 men divided into 5 different age groups participated in a laboratory protocol consisting of submerging one hand in ice water for one minute while changes in blood pressure were continuously measured.


RESULTS
The results indicated that with increasing age, the systolic blood pressure change, especially the rate of change (slope) is more pronounced than changes in diastolic blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
With increasing age, there is a shift from a diastolic blood pressure reactivity pattern to a more systolic blood pressure reactivity pattern during application of the cold pressor test. This could be ascribed to a decrease in arterial compliance.
Huisman
Hugo W
HW
Department of Physiology, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, South Africa. flghwh@puknet.puk.ac.za
Van Rooyen
Johannes M
JM
Malan
Nicolaas T
NT
Eloff
Frederik C
FC
Laubscher
Petrus J
PJ
Steyn
Hendrik S
HS
Pretorius
Petrus J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests