CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATIONS AND CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY TO STRESS INAFRICAN-AMERICAN COLLEGE VOLUNTEERS

Cholesterol levels and cardiovascular responses to emotionally arousin g stimuli were examined in 60 healthy African American males and femal es. Cardiac output, stroke volume, contractile force, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured as the participants viewed two racially n oxious scenes opt videotape. Total serum cholesterol, high-density lip oproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides wer e measured within 2 weeks of viewing the scenes. Multiple regression a nalysis showed that LDL and HDL were significant predictors of blood p ressure responses. A correlation analysis revealed that total serum ch olesterol and LDL were positively correlated with stroke volume, contr actile force, and blood pressure reactivity. A possible relationship a mong stress, beta-adrenergic activity, and nonmetabolized free fatty a cids is discussed. These findings suggest that cardiovascular reactivi ty to stress may be a new risk factor for heart and vascular diseases.