Response of finger systolic blood pressure to cold provocation in cases with hypertension and diabetes

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Abstract
Finger systolic blood pressure during cooling was determined in 21 hypertensive, 22 diabetics and 18 control individuals. Blood pressure determination was made using a miniature tourniquet on the middle phalanx and a strain-gauge flow sensor on the finger tip. Pressure was measured at 35 degrees C and upon stepwise local cooling down to 5 degrees C. With this technique the following observations were made: (1) Systolic blood pressure declined slightly in controls. (2) The reduction of finger systolic blood pressure was significantly more pronounced in patients with essential hypertension and diabetes, 17 and 23% at 5 degrees C compared to control level at 35 degrees C. (3) These changes may be explained simply on the basis of physical factors such as altered wall composition resulting in decreased and retarded compliance.