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Autonomic responses to stress in B lack versus C aucasian A fricans: The SABPA Study
Author(s) -
Reimann Manja,
Hamer Mark,
Schlaich Markus,
Malan Nicolaas T.,
Rüdiger Heinz,
Ziemssen Tjalf,
Malan Leoné
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2011.01328.x
Subject(s) - cold pressor test , baroreflex , heart rate , psychology , diastole , medicine , stressor , blood pressure , efferent , autonomic nervous system , cardiology , clinical psychology , afferent
Underlying mechanisms of increased pressor responses to stress in Blacks are poorly understood. Cardiovascular regulation of normotensive B lack ( n = 43) and C aucasian ( n = 90) A fricans was studied during a cold pressor and color‐word conflict test. Autonomic evaluation was performed by spectral analysis. Higher diastolic pressor and heart rate responses to the cold pressor test were observed in Black compared to C aucasian A fricans. Autonomic efferent outflow to stress was comparable between groups. Transient downregulation of baroreflex during stress was evident in B lacks but not in C aucasians. Greater diastolic pressor responses were related to a higher cardiac reactivity, a baroreflex desensitization, and higher stress perception in B lack A fricans. Thus, increased stress perception may facilitate cardiac and diastolic hyperreactivity, indirectly affecting baroreflex function in Black Africans.