title: Factors associated with blood pressure response to the cold pressor test: the GenSalt Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blood pressure (BP) response to the cold pressor test (CPT) has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We studied risk factors associated with BP response to CPT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted the CPT among 2,682 individuals in rural north China. BP was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer prior to and at 0, 1, 2, and 4 minutes after the participants immersed their right hand in ice water for 1 minute.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sex, age, and baseline BP levels were significantly associated with BP response to the CPT. For example, maximum systolic BP response (mean ± SD) was greater in women than in men (15.5±10.7 vs. 13.8±10.0mm Hg; P < 0.0001), correspondingly higher with age (12.4±8.7, 13.8±10.0, and 16.4±11.2mm Hg for those aged < 35, 35-44, and ≥ 45 years, respectively; P for trend < 0.0001), and greater with higher BP (13.5±10.0, 14.9±10.2, and 17.4±11.5mm Hg for those with baseline BP < 120/80, 120-139/80-89, and ≥ 140/90mm Hg, respectively; P for trend < 0.0001). In multivariable analyses, we also observed that higher body mass index, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with greater BP response to the CPT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study indicates that females, older age, and elevated baseline BP levels are associated with greater BP response to the CPT. In addition, physical inactivity, higher weight, and alcohol consumption may also be related to BP hyperreactivity to stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Soochow University School of Public Health, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Mingzhi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Katherine T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Jichun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jianxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Dongfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002681:China; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: blood pressure; hypertension; physiological; risk factors; stress.