Cardiovascular reactivity patterns elicited by the cold pressor test as a function of aging

Background and aims: The cold pressor test has been widely used in previous cardiovascular reactivity studies as a predictor of hypertension. However, the influence of the physical adaptations of the arterial wall with increasing age on reactivity has not been delineated. Methods: 64 men divided into 5 different age groups participated in a laboratory protocol consisting of submerging one hand in ice water for one minute while changes in blood pressure were continuously measured. Results: The results indicated that with increasing age, the systolic blood pressure change, especially the rate of change (slope) is more pronounced than changes in diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: With increasing age, there is a shift from a diastolic blood pressure reactivity pattern to a more systolic blood pressure reactivity pattern during application of the cold pressor test. This could be ascribed to a decrease in arterial compliance.