Aging and Cardiovascular Reactivity to Stress: Longitudinal Evidence for Changes in Stress Reactivity

Although age differences in cardiovascular function are well documented, little research has provided longitudinal evidence for age-related changes in cardiovascular reactivity to stress. In this study, the authors report such data from a follow-up of their prior work ( B. N. Uchino, D. Uno, J. Holt-Lunstad, & J. B. Flinders, 1999 ) with participants between the ages of 30 to 70 ( n = 108, mean follow-up = 10 months, range = 7 to 16 months). Results revealed longitudinal evidence for an age-related increase in systolic blood-pressure reactivity and parasympathetic withdrawal to acute stress. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of the increased cardiovascular disease risk with age, as well as the links between aging, emotions, and physiology.