Abstract
Vasovagal reactions during blood donation were assessed in 185 individuals with and 298 individuals without a parental history of hypertension. It was predicted that individuals at genetic risk for hypertension would be less likely to faint or suffer pronounced vasovagal reactions, presumably by virtue of altered baroreflex sensitivity. A relationship between a parental history of hypertension and vasovagal responses was observed, albeit modified by blood donation experience and sex. Nurses obtaining blood from inexperienced donors without a parental history of hypertension were significantly more likely to recline the subject's chair than those obtaining blood from inexperienced donors with a parental history of hypertension or experienced donors. Questionnaire data were consistent with these findings. These results may be an interesting reflection of group differences in baroreflex sensitivity and have implications for screening potential donors.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler, P. S. J., France, C, and Ditto, B. (1991). Baroreflex sensitivity at rest and during stress in individuals with a history of vasovagal syncope.J. Psychosom. Res. 35: 591–597.
Adler, P. S. J., Ditto, B., France, C., and France, J. (1994). Cardiovascular reactions to blood donation in offspring of hypertensives and normotensives.J. Psychosom. Res. 38: 429–439.
Bendig, A. W. (1956). The development of a short form of the manifest anxiety scale.J. Consult. Psychol. 20: 384.
Bevegard, S., Castenfors, J., and Lindblad, K. E. (1980). Effect of changes in blood volume distribution on circulatory regulation in young men with moderate hypertension. In Sleight, P. (ed.),Arterial Baroreceptors and Hypertension, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, pp. 492–498.
Bristow, J. D., Honour, A. J., Pickering, G. W., Sleight, P., and Smyth, H. S. (1969). Diminished baroreflex sensitivity in high blood pressure.Circulation 39: 48–53.
Callahan, R., Edelman, E. B., Smith, M. S., and Smith, J. J. (1963). Study of the incidence and characteristics of blood donor “reactors.”Transfusion 3: 76–84.
Ditto, B., and France, C. (1990). Carotid baroreflex sensitivity at rest and during psychological stress in offspring of hypertensives and non-twin sibling pairs.Psychosom. Med. 52: 610–620.
Girerd, X., Chanudet, X., Larroque, P., Clement, R., London, G., and Safar, M. (1989). Increased vasodilator response during stimulation of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors in borderline hypertensives.Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 15: 117–119.
Graham, D. T. (1961). Prediction of fainting in blood donors.Circulation 23: 901–906.
Graham, D. T., Kabler, J. D., and Lunsford, Jr., L. (1961). Vasovagal fainting: A diphasic response.Psychosom. Med. 23: 493–507.
Gribbin, B., Pickering, T. G., Sleight, P., and Peto, R. (1971). Effect of age and high blood pressure on baroreflex sensitivity in man.Circ. Res. 29: 424–431.
Iwase, N., Takata, S., Okuwa, H., Ogawa J., Ikeda, T., and Hattori, N. (1984). Abnormal baroreflex control of heart rate in normotensive young subjects with a family history of essential hypertension.J. Hypertens. 2: 409–411.
Kaloupek, D. G., Scott, J. R., and Khatami, V. (1985). Assessment of coping strategies associated with syncope in blood donors.J. Psychosom. Res. 29: 207–214.
Mark, A. L., and Kerber, R. E. (1982). Augmentation of cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance in borderline hypertension.Hypertension 4: 39–46.
Mark, A. L., and Mancia, G. (1983). Cardiopulmonary baroreflexes in humans. In Shepherd, J. T., and Abboud, F. M. (eds.),Handbook of Physiology: The Cardiovascular System, Vol. 3, American Physiological Society, Bethesda, MD, pp. 795–813.
Piliavin, J. A. (1990). Why do they give the gift of life? A review of research on blood donors since 1977.Transfusion 30: 444–459.
Ogata, H., Iinuma, N., Nagashima, K., and Akabane, T. (1980). Vasovagal reactions in blood donors.Transfusion 20: 679–683.
Reynolds, W. M. (1982). Development of reliable and valid short forms of the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale.J. Clin. Psychol. 38: 119–125.
Takeshita, A., Tanaka, S., Kuroiwa, A., and Nakamura, M. (1975). Reduced baroreceptor sensitivity in borderline hypertension.Circulation 51: 738–742.
van Lieshout, J. J., Wieling, W., Karemaker, J. M., and Eckberg, D. L. (1991). The vasovagal response.Clin. Sci. 81: 575–586.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ditto, B., Adler, P.S.J., France, C. et al. Family history of hypertension and vasovagal symptoms during blood donation. J Behav Med 18, 331–340 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01857658
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01857658