Psychological effects on the cardiovascular reactivity of stressful moments
Keywords:
alexithymia, expressed emotion, cardiovascular reactivity, stressAbstract
The effects of psychological traits on blood pressure increases have received much attention. This work aimed to verify if during periods of interpersonal stress the cardiovascular reactivity of hypertensives varies in accordance with psychological traits. Eighty mild-hypertensive adult subjects answered the Lipp Stress Symptom Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and an Assertiveness Questionnaire, and participated in a conflictive role-play experimental session. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded continuously via the Finapres methodology. Two types of instructions were given. At one time the subject was instructed to withhold emotions and at another time, the
instruction given was to express emotions freely during the session. A significant correlation was found between alexithymia/ inassertiveness and both diastolic and systolic blood pressures. When alexithymic/inassertive subjects were asked to express their feelings, the diastolic blood pressure increased significantly. Furthermore, when assertive and non-alexithymic participants were required to suppress their emotions the systolic blood pressure suffered significant increases.
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