INCREASED VASODILATOR RESPONSE DURING STIMULATION OF CARDIOPULMONARY BARORECEPTORS IN BORDERLINE HYPERTENSIVES

1 The effects of passive leg elevation on the forearm circulation were compared in 14 borderline hypertensive and 16 normotensive men. 2 In the supine position, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and forearm blood flow (FBF) were significantly greater in borderline hypertensives. 3 With leg raising, MAP and HR did not change significantly from basal values. FBF increased by +0.6 ± 0.2 (s.e.m.) mL/min/100 mL P<0.02) in normotensives and by + 1.3 ± 0.2 mL/min/100 mL P<0.001) in hypertensives (P for difference between groups <0.05).