CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPONSES TO HANDGRIP ISOMETRIC-EXERCISE IN MALE-SUBJECTS WITH HIGH VERSUS LOW CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY TO PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS

The effects of isometric exercise (hand-grip) on cardiovascular parame ters was measured in a group of 14 middle age male subjects with a hig h cardiovascular response to psychological stress (hyperreactors) and in a group of 14 age-matched male subjects with a low response to psyc hological stress (hyporeactors). At the beginning of the 3rd minute of hand-grip both groups showed an increase in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in rate-pressure product (heart rate x sy stolic blood pressure). During hand-grip the values of systolic and di astolic pressure and rate-pressure product as well as a change of thes e parameters were higher in hyperreactors. After hand-grip,in the 5th minute of rest, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and rate-pressur e product remained slightly elevated in hyperreactors.