Effect of satisfaction with social support on blood pressure in normotensive and borderline hypertensive men and women.

The relation between blood pressure (BP) and two aspects of social support, perceived satisfaction and structural social support network characteristics, were examined in adults classified as having normal BP or borderline hypertension. Causal BPs were taken by a trained technician on 3 separate visits, each approximately 1 week apart. Participants were categorized as borderline hypertensive if screening systolic blood pressure (SBP) fell in the range 130-160 mmHG and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) fell in the range 85-100 mmHg; BPs below these ranges were considered normotensive. Participants underwent ambulatory BP monitoring. Individuals classified as normotensive reported significantly greater support satisfaction than individuals with borderline hypertension. Social network characteristics were not associated with BP. During 24 hr of ambulatory BP monitoring, high perceived support satisfaction was associated with lower SBP and DBP at work, home, and during sleep. These data suggest that perceived satisfaction with social support is associated with lower BP. The presence of social support also may reduce BP levels during daily life.