Association of Type D personality with the autonomic and hemodynamic response to the cold pressor test |
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Authors: | Nina Kupper Aline Pelle Johan Denollet |
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Affiliation: | Department of Medical Psychology and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, , Tilburg, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Mechanisms relating Type D personality to poor health are largely unknown, with autonomic nervous system function being a candidate. This study examined the physiologic response to cold stress. Undergraduates (N = 101, 84% female) underwent a cold pressor test. An electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, and blood pressure were recorded. Type D personality was assessed by self‐report questionnaire. Type D was associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactivity. Exploratory analyses showed Type D men to respond with increased respiratory sinus arrhythmia (i.e., higher parasympathetic activity), and decreased pre‐ejection period (i.e., larger sympathetic activity), while Type D women showed a reciprocal response pattern. In conclusion, Type D personality was associated with an exaggerated hemodynamic response to cold stress, which may contribute to an increased risk of hypertension in Type D individuals. |
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Keywords: | Type D personality Cold pressor task Impedance cardiography Blood pressure Heart rate Autonomic nervous system Cardiovascular reactivity |
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