PURPOSE: To compare cardiovascular reactivity in adolescents with and without family history of hypertension. METHODS: Thirty two subjects, males, students, aging between 13 to 18 years old were examined. One half of them had no family history of hypertension and the other half had at least one hypertensive parent. Basal blood pressure level was obtained before the application of the following selected tests: isometric handgrip exercise test, cold pressor test and arithmetic mental stress test. The blood pressure values were obtained by a digital, oscilometric device, previously calibrated. RESULTS: The subjects with family history of hypertension exhibited higher basal levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0,10). Concerning the tests applied, the subjects with family history of hypertension also exhibited higher responses, but only the response of the diastolic blood pressure to the mental stress test was statistically significant (p<0,10). CONCLUSION: Our findings point to the need of a special follow-up of children with a family history of hypertension.
pressor tests; adolescents; genetic factor
