Blunted cardiac stress reactors exhibit relatively high levels of behavioural impulsivity

Blunted physiological reactions to acute psychological stress are associated with a range of adverse health and behavioural outcomes. This study examined whether extreme stress reactors differ in their behavioural impulsivity. Individuals showing blunted (N = 23) and exaggerated (N = 23) cardiovascular reactions to stress were selected by screening a healthy student population (N = 276). Behavioural impulsivity was measured via inhibitory control and motor impulsivity tasks. Blunted reactors exhibited greater impulsivity than exaggerated reactors on both stop-signal, F(1,41) = 4.99, p = 0.03, eta(2)(p), = 0.108, and circle drawing, F(1,43) = 4.00,p = eta(2)(p) = 0.085, tasks. Individuals showing blunted cardiovascular stress reactions are characterized by greater impulsivity which may contribute to their increased susceptibility to outcomes such as obesity and addiction

Blunted cardiovascular responses to acute psychological stress predict low behavioral but not self-reported perseverance

Emerging evidence relates attenuated physiological stress reactions to poor behavioral regulation. However, only a small number of behaviors such as impulsivity and risk taking have been explored. Nevertheless, one opportunistic study suggested that blunted reactivity might relate to poor perseverance. The present study examined the relationship between cardiovascular reactivity to acute active psychological stress and self‐reported and behavioral perseverance. Participants (N = 64) completed a self‐report perseverance questionnaire before heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured at rest and in response to 4‐min active (paced auditory serial addition; PASAT) and passive (cold pressor) stress tests. This was followed by an unsolvable Euler puzzle tracing task, with the time spent and number of attempts endeavoring to solve the puzzle recorded as behavioral perseverance measures. Blunted systolic and diastolic BP reactivity to the PASAT was associated with fewer attempts at the impossible puzzle, and lower diastolic BP PASAT reactivity related to less time persevering at the puzzle. Moreover, attenuated diastolic BP and HR PASAT reactivity predicted poorer perseverance at keeping one's hand in the iced water of the cold pressor task. There was no association between reactivity and self‐reported perseverance. These preliminary findings add to the evidence that implicates blunted reactivity as a physiological marker of poor behavioral regulation, and this may indicate why individuals with blunted reactivity are at increased risk of developing negative health outcomes (e.g., obesity and addictions)

Social context and sex moderate the association between type D personality and cardiovascular reactivity

peer-reviewedType D personality has been consistently associated with adverse cardiovascular health with atypical cardiovascular reactions to psychological stress one plausible underlying mechanism. However, whether this varies by sex and social context has received little attention. This study examined the interaction between Type D personality, sex and social context on cardiovascular reactivity to acute stress. A sample of 76 healthy undergraduate students (47 female) completed the DS14 Type D measure, before undergoing a traditional cardiovascular reactivity protocol. The social context of the laboratory environment was manipulated to create a social and non-social context using a between-subjects design. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored throughout. No associations were evident for blood pressure. However, a significant personality × sex × social context interaction on HR reactivity was found; here Type D was associated with a higher HR response to the social task amongst males but not females, while Type D females typically exhibited blunted reactions. While these atypical reactions indicate a possible psychophysiological pathway leading to adverse cardiovascular events amongst Type Ds, it appears that Type D males are particularly vulnerable to socially based stressors, exhibiting exaggerated cardiovascular reactions.peer-reviewe

Ginseng and ginkgo biloba effects on cognition as modulated by cardiovascular reactivity: a randomised trial

Background There is some evidence to suggest that ginseng and Ginkgo biloba can improve cognitive performance, however, very little is known about the mechanisms associated with such improvement. Here, we tested whether cardiovascular reactivity to a task is associated with cognitive improvement. Methodology/Principal findings Using a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover design, participants (N = 24) received two doses of Panax Ginseng (500, 1000 mg) or Ginkgo Biloba (120, 240 mg) (N = 24), and underwent a series of cognitive tests while systolic, diastolic, and heart rate readings were taken. Ginkgo Biloba improved aspects of executive functioning (Stroop and Berg tasks) in females but not in males. Ginseng had no effect on cognition. Ginkgo biloba in females reversed the initial (i.e. placebo) increase in cardiovascular reactivity (systolic and diastolic readings increased compared to baseline) to cognitive tasks. This effect (reversal) was most notable after those tasks (Stroop and Iowa) that elicited the greatest cardiovascular reactivity during placebo. In males, although ginkgo also decreased cardiovascular readings, it did so from an initial (placebo) blunted response (i.e. decrease or no change from baseline) to cognitive tasks. Ginseng, on the contrary, increased cardiovascular readings compared to placebo. Conclusions/Significance These results suggest that cardiovascular reactivity may be a mechanism by which ginkgo but not ginseng, in females is associated with certain forms of cognitive improvement

Symptom experiences in hypertension: A mixed methods systematic review

Aim. Blood pressure guidelines have undergone multiple revisions in accordance with updated science. Understanding patients’ hypertension symptoms can assist healthcare professionals’ awareness of individual, cultural, and behavioural responses and improve diagnostic accuracy to optimize treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to evaluate and synthesize current literature exploring symptoms experienced by patients with hypertension.  Methods.  Databases searched included MEDLINE® (PubMed®), CINAHL® (EBSCO), Scopus, and Web of Science™ from January 2010 to January 2022 for studies with reported hypertension symptoms.  The search followed the PRISMA guidelines.  The McMaster critical review forms were used to determine quality of both qualitative and quantitative articles. Synthesis of the data was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Convergent Integrated Approach to Mixed Study Systematic Reviews.  Results. Forty-one articles were included in the review, including nine qualitative studies and thirty-two quantitative.  Quality of the articles varied. Symptoms included commonly reported symptoms and some less prevalent, including some reporting absence of symptoms. Factors that affected symptoms included culture, beliefs, psychosocial factors and knowledge. We also found that there may be a bidirectional relationship with symptoms and behaviours that may lead to self-management.  Conclusion. Hypertension is common and symptoms are frequently reported. Hypertension management is related to multiple factors. Symptoms continue in a number of individuals after initial diagnosis. Evaluating symptoms after initial diagnosis may help to optimally manage and meet BP guidelines.