- Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015) Volume 5, Issue 44

Evaluation of Physiological Cardiovascular Reactivity to Cold Pressor Stress Test

Background: Cardiovascular hyperactivity is a possible predictor for future development of hypertension. Cold stressor can help identify young healthy individuals who are at risk of developing hypertension in future. Instituting life style modifications in such at-risk individuals could help prevent hypertension related mortality and morbidity in later years. Method: In this study, 72 voluntary subjects in the age group of 19 to 25 years were selected. Using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer, mean of three pre-procedure blood pressure recordings was designated as the basal blood pressure. This was followed by application of a cold pressor and blood pressure readings were obtained at 1 minute and 5 minutes. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were tabulate and statistical inferences were drawn. Results: Our data revealed sharp increase from pre-stressor to 1 minute post-stressor HR, SBP and DBP. From 1 minute post-stressor to 5 minutes post-stressor time, there was a sharp decrease in HR, SBP and DBP, but the values were significantly higher than the pre-immersion control values (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cold stressor test can easily identify apparently healthy individuals with cardiovascular hyperactivity. This information can be used to identify population at risk and design strategy to prevent hypertension and its related complications in later years

Author(s): Farhana Ahad

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