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Forearm vascular conductance during mental stress is related to the heart rate response

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Abstract

The forearm vasodilator response to mental stress is multifactorial and widely variable among individuals. We evaluated the association between the heart rate and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) responses to a color word test in 101 healthy adults. We found a striking correlation between heart rate and FVC (r = 0.66, P < 0.001), which remained significant when controlling for subject characteristics, blood pressure, and catecholamines. This suggests that the mechanical stimulation is one of the key factors that contribute to the increase in FVC during mental stress.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Drs. Michael Joyner and Timothy Curry for medical assistance. We also thank Pamela Engrav and Cara Fernandez for recruitment and scheduling. Also, special thanks to all the participants. This study was supported by K23 RR17520, HL-089331, NS 32352, NS 90530056/5J4205, NIH/NCRR and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research 1 KL2 RR024151-01.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Tasha L. Pike, Rachel L. Elvebak, Modupef’Oluwa Jegede, Stephen J. Gleich & John H. Eisenach

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  1. Tasha L. Pike
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  2. Rachel L. Elvebak
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  3. Modupef’Oluwa Jegede
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  4. Stephen J. Gleich
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  5. John H. Eisenach
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Correspondence to John H. Eisenach.

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Pike, T.L., Elvebak, R.L., Jegede, M. et al. Forearm vascular conductance during mental stress is related to the heart rate response. Clin Auton Res 19, 183–187 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-009-0005-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-009-0005-6

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