Reactivity to active tasks predicts the need for antillypertensive medication

A recent report provides 9-12 years of follow-up in an investigation of psychological stress tasks in the prediction of blood pressure level and the need for antihypertensive medication.

According to recent research from Finland, "Increased blood pressure (BP) reactivity to subtypes of psychological stimuli may differentially predict the development of future BP elevation or hypertension. [We] present the 9-12-year follow-up results of 82 (86%) of 95 male participants with different BP levels. They were healthy, untreated, and age-matched volunteers from a routine health checkup carried out on all 35, 40, and 45-year-olds from a medium-sized city."

M.T. Tuomisto and colleagues of the University of Tampere reported, "Intra-arterial systolic blood pressure (SBP) during the psychological tasks improved the prediction of future casual SBP and noninvasive 24-hour ambulatory SBP compared with predictions from casual diagnostic measurements. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was very useful when added to casual DBP in predicting the need for antihypertensive medication."

"Reactivity to active tasks especially predicts the need for antillypertensive medication," the authors added.

Tuomisto and colleagues published their study in Health Psychology (Psychological stress tasks in the prediction of blood pressure level and need for antihypertensive medication: 9-12 years of follow-up. Health Psychol, 2005;24(1):77-87).

For additional information, contact M.T. Tuomisto, Koskenmaenk 5G, FI-37120 Nokia, Finland. klmatu@uta.fi

Publisher contact information for the journal Health Psychology is: American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Blood Pressure, Ambulatory, Hypertension, Stress, Prospective Studies, Active Tasks, and Mental Health.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.

To see more of the NewsRx.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.newsrx.com

© 2004 NewsRx.com. All Rights Reserved.;;©Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com

Back to News