The influence of behavioral factors on the daily variation of blood pressure.

Blood pressure (BP) changes continually throughout the day and night in response to changes in activity and in the environment. Behavioral influences include posture, physical and mental activity, and emotional state. The absolute magnitude of these influences may show consistent differences according to demographic factors such as gender and environment (eg, at work or at home). Occupational stress appears to have a greater effect on the BP in men than in women, while domestic stress (eg, the number of children) influences BP more in women. Ambulatory BP recordings should be interpreted according to the behavioral setting in which they are made.