Hypertension and Personality

Scores on personality measures of 12 male subjects with essential hypertension have been correlated with haemodynamic measures of cardiovascular functioning. A relationship was demonstrated between blood pressure levels and total peripheral resistance at rest; and degree of change after autonomic blockade, and scores on the deference and abasement scales of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and the IPAT Anxiety Questionnaire and Cornell Medical Index scores. These findings lend support to previous findings which have indicated the importance of suppressed emotions in the aetiology of hypertension.