Effects of anger/hostility, defensiveness, gender, and family history of hypertension on cardiovascular reactivity

In this study, we examined the combined effects of anger/hostility and defensiveness on reactivity to three stressors (math, handgrip, cold pressor) and how these effects are moderated by gender and family history of hypertension. The subjects were 209 college students. Low compared with high Spielberger anger-out scores were associated with greater diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity in low-but not high-defensive women with a negative family history. High compared with low hostility scores were associated with greater heart rate reactivity in low-defensive men with an opposite effect in high-defensive men. Gender, family history, and defensiveness each affected differential DBP reactivity to the three tasks. Combined study of biological factors and coping styles can improve our understanding of cardiovascular reactivity and disease.