Greater cardiovascular reactivity to a cold stimulus is due to higher cold pain perception in black Africans

Abstract

Black Africans display a more pronounced cold pressor test-induced rise in heart rate and blood pressure, which may be explained by greater pain-related increments in blood pressure. A higher cognitive appraisal of pain and a blunted baroreflex-mediated dampening of autonomic structures may contribute to the exaggerated blood pressure reactivity in black Africans.