Blood pressure stress reactivity and left ventricular mass in a random community sample of African-American and caucasian men and women

Am J Cardiol. 2006 Jan 15;97(2):240-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.07.134.

Abstract

Exaggerated blood pressure (BP) reactivity to stress may contribute to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity. This study examined the extent to which BP responses to acute stress are associated with LV mass and relative wall thickness in a community sample of African-American and white men and women. BP was measured at rest and in response to 2 acute challenges (mental arithmetic and handgrip). Systolic BP at rest was positively associated with LV mass and relative wall thickness (p < 0.001). The associations between the responses to the stressors and LV mass were not significant. African-American and white men who exhibited high BP responses to the arithmetic stressor had greater relative wall thickness than those with low reactivity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, BP reactivity is not related to LV mass, but may be related to concentric remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
  • White People