Individual reactions and psychophysiologic reactions in patients with mild primary hypertension]

Fourteen male patients with mild hypertension, aged between 20 and 46 years (mean = 32.4 years) measured their arterial blood pressure thrice daily for 6 weeks. Prior to and after this period psychological tests were carried out, including Gough's ACL test and Spielberger's STAI questionnaire. All patients underwent also Kraeplin's test under stress conditions twice during the experiment. It was found that there is significant correlation of personality response syndromes such as: need for acceptance, inferiority complex, need for success, trust to themselves, anger and some values of blood pressure. So-called personality syndrome related to hypertension was established. Psychophysiological picture accompanying emotional stress was discussed and relationship between blood pressure values (prior to and after emotional stress) and personality syndromes were defined.