Ethnicity, perceived discrimination, and vascular reactivity to phenylephrine.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined relationships among ethnicity, perceived discrimination, and vascular reactivity to phenylephrine (PE).


METHODS
Seventy-six white patients and 46 black patients were studied at an inpatient clinical research center in response to a bolus intravenous injection of 100 microg PE. Self-report questionnaires assessed perceived discrimination.


RESULTS
After controlling for body surface area, number of cigarettes smoked, and baseline blood pressure, black patients had greater vascular reactivity to PE than white patients (p = .01). There was also a significant relationship between perceived discrimination and diastolic blood pressure responsiveness to PE (p < .05). Path analyses revealed that perceived discrimination mediated the relationship between ethnicity and diastolic pressor responses. Individuals who perceived more discrimination had a larger increase in diastolic blood pressure in response to PE.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest perceived discrimination is associated with increased blood pressure responsiveness to PE.
Thomas
KaMala S
KS
San Diego State University & University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California, USA.
Nelesen
Richard A
RA
Malcarne
Vanessa L
VL
Ziegler
Michael G
MG
Dimsdale
Joel E
JE
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D010656:Phenylephrine