RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHILDRENS CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS RESPONSES AND RESTING CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTIONING 1 YEAR LATER

Resting cardiovascular parameters were predicted from anthropometric d ata, resting baseline cardiovascular data, and cardiovascular response s to three laboratory stressors completed 1 year earlier. Subjects wer e 106 male and female children (72 Whites, 34 Blacks) aged 6-7 years a t the initial evaluation. During initial testing, blood pressure, hear t rate, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance were assessed at rest and also during a forehead cold presser task, postural change, and treadmill exercise. The same cardiovascular parameters were then assessed at rest 1 year later. After controlling for significant anthr opometric measures and the pertinent previous year's resting data, sys tolic and diastolic responses to the cold presser were predictive of r espective follow-up resting levels. Postural change heart rate respons es were predictive of follow-up resting heart rate after controlling f or initial resting levels. Exercise cardiac index reactivity predicted follow-up cardiac index after controlling for earlier resting levels and adiposity. Follow-up total peripheral resistance index was predict ed by earlier resting levels. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.