HOSTILITY, SODIUM CONSUMPTION, AND CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPONSE TO INTERPERSONAL STRESS

Objective: Previous studies have reported poorer health behaviors in h igh vs. low hostile subjects. The role of stress in these observed dif ferences has not been explored although interpersonal stress does incr ease cardiovascular response in high hostiles. Given evidence that str ess may induce increased salt-intake, this study examined the role of hostility and interpersonal stress in increasing sodium consumption in addition to cardiovascular reactivity. Method: Sixty-nine male underg raduates were categorized into high (HiHo) and low hostile (LoHo) grou ps based on Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory scores. Subjects engaged i n either a math task with harassment, math task without harassment, or a control/rest condition. Sodium intake was assessed posttask by havi ng subjects ingest a sodium-free soup that was presented with a saltsh aker without any comments. Cardiovascular measures were also recorded. Results: HiHo subjects consumed more salt than LoHo subjects irrespec tive of experimental condition. HiHo subjects who were harassed also e xhibited greater cardiac output, systolic blood pressure, and forearm blood flow than did HiHo nonharassed, HiHo control, or LoHo subjects. Conclusion: HiHo subjects exhibited increased salt-intake, although ev idence for stress-induced salt-intake was not obtained. Nonetheless, t he combination of salt and stress may contribute to the cardiovascular hyperreactivity and risk for cardiovascular disease in hostile indivi duals.