Kardiovaskuläre Reaktivität und die Entwicklung der essentiellen Hypertonie

Psychophysiological experiments show large individual differences in physiological reactivity to mental stress. Hyperreactivity refers to the propensity for an individual to exhibit increased cardiovascular activity during exposure to external stimuli when compared to controls. Essential hypertensives show cardiovascular hyperreactivity that is not reflected in electrodermal or respiratory activity. This result indicates that cardiovascular reactivity could be an important component in the development of essential hypertension. This article provides an overview of conceptual issues and empirical findings concerning the role of cardiovascular reactivity and the development of essential hypertension.