Abstract
The effects of reading and listening on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured in 24 normotensive individuals. Reading at a subject's own pace produced significant increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HR. Furthermore, listening at fast tempo was related to significant increases in DBP. These results suggest that BP responded not only to the act of vocalization but also to the cognitive process in verbal activities. In addition, the amount of increase in BP with reading was positively and significantly correlated with baseline resting levels; that is, the higher the baseline BP, the greater was the amount of increase in BP with reading. These results are discussed in the light of earlier studies of the clinical treatment of hypertensive patients.
