Hostility predicts magnitude and duration of blood pressure response to anger

The hypothesis that hostile and nonhostile individuals would differ in both magnitude and duration of cardiovascular reactivity to relived anger was t ested. Participants were 66 older adults (mean age, 62; 38 women and 28 men ; 70% Caucasian American, 30% African American). Each took part in a struct ured interview scored using the Interpersonal Hostility Assessment Techniqu e. Later each relived a self-chosen anger memory while heart rate and systo lic and diastolic blood pressures were measured continuously using an Ohmed a Finapres monitor. Hostile participants had larger and longer-lasting bloo d pressure responses to anger. African Americans also showed longer-lasting blood pressure reactivity to anger. Health and measurement implications ar e discussed.