Cardiovascular reactivity to cold pressor test in offspring of normotensive & hypertensive parents.

ABSTRACT

A study was undertaken to assess the potential hypertensive status of the offspring of normotensive and hypertensive parents. The volunteers were divided into two groups based on the family history of hypertension. Heart rate and blood pressure recordings were made before and after the cold pressor test. Higher basal values of blood pressure and a significant rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the offspring of hypertensive parents were observed indicating that they have an increased cardiovascular reactivity which was attributed to increased sympathetic activity. Excretion of urinary catecholamines was also found to be significantly higher in about 33 per cent of the offspring of hypertensive parents.