Neurovegetative assessment in subjects with a risk for hypertension.

Cardiacneurovegatative assessment was studied in 60 subjects divided into three groups consisting of 20 normotensive subjects without familial hypertension, 20 normotensive subjects with familial hypertension, and 20 patients with mild hypertension. Cardiacneurovegetative function was investigated by evaluations of these parameters: systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, skin conductance, and muscular contraction. These measurements were taken before and after psychological stress (mathematical, Sacks' incomplete sentences, electrical, auditory) and after physical stress (cold, hand grip, head-up tilt, lying, and standing). The results showed a significant difference of the psychophysiologic profiles among the three groups. On the contrary, the cardiovascular variables were not very sensitive or well-discriminating, especially when response amplitude was considered. In conclusion we propose the hypothesis that identification of the psychophysiologic profile in certain individuals may be a better marker for future development of hypertension in subjects with a genetic risk.