Abstract
Experiments on the response of blood pressure (BP) to speech were critically reviewed. Based on this review, it was concluded that evidence to support the assumption that the BP response to speech is higher for hypertensives than for normotensives is insufficient. The present investigation addressed this issue by asking 11 normotensives, 10 unmedicated hypertensives and 13 medicated hypertensives to (A) sit quietly, (B) read subvocally and (C) read aloud for 1 - min periods in an ABCBCA design. BP was measured noninvasively using Finapres TM every 2 seconds. Results indicated that the average BP response to reading aloud versus reading subvocally did not differ between normotensives and hypertensives. Hypertensives, however, demonstrated a faster response during reading a loud as well as a higher BP response during the subvocal reading task.
