Gender Differences in Pain Sensitivity and Resting Blood Pressure

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne G. Helfer ◽  
Ashley D. Bugeja ◽  
Sarah E. Jackson ◽  
Elizabeth Woltja
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Resting Blood Pressure

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Response to Experimental Pain among Medical Students from a Western State of India

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Pratik Akhani ◽  
Samir Mendpara ◽  
Bhupendra Palan
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Pain Rating ◽  
Western State

Background: Pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek medical attention and it causes considerable human suffering. Pain is a complex perception that differs enormously among individual patients. Gender plays an important role in how pain is experienced, coped with and treated. Even young healthy individuals often differ in how they perceive and cope with pain. This study was done to investigate gender differences in response to experimental pain among medical students from a western state in India. Methods: A total of 150 medical students (86 males and 64 females) participated in this interventional study. The Cold Pressor Test was used to exert experimental pain. To study the response, cardiovascular measures (radial pulse, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) and pain sensitivity parameters (pain threshold, pain tolerance and pain rating) were assessed. Results: No significant difference was found in cardiovascular response to experimental pain between both the genders (p>0.05). Pain threshold and pain tolerance were found to be significantly higher in males whereas pain rating was found to be significantly higher in females (p<0.01). Pulse reactivity showed a negative relationship with pain threshold and pain tolerance whereas a positive relationship with pain rating, however no statistically significant relation was found between these measures. Conclusion: Females display greater pain sensitivity than males. Different pain perception might account for gender difference in pulse reactivity.

Reduction in Pain Sensitivity from Pharmacological Elevation of Blood Pressure in Persons with Chronically Low Blood Pressure

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Duschek ◽  
Heike Heiss ◽  
Boriana Buechner ◽  
Rainer Schandry
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Pressure Effects ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Low Blood Pressure ◽  
Present Trial

Recent studies have revealed evidence for increased pain sensitivity in individuals with chronically low blood pressure. The present trial explored whether pain sensitivity can be reduced by pharmacological elevation of blood pressure. Effects of the sympathomimetic midodrine on threshold and tolerance to heat pain were examined in 52 hypotensive persons (mean blood pressure 96/61 mmHg) based on a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Heat stimuli were applied to the forearm via a contact thermode. Confounding of drug effects on pain perception with changes in skin temperature, temperature sensitivity, and mood were statistically controlled for. Compared to placebo, higher pain threshold and tolerance, increased blood pressure, as well as reduced heart rate were observed under the sympathomimetic condition. Increases in systolic blood pressure between points of measurement correlated positively with increases in pain threshold and tolerance, and decreases in heart rate were associated with increases in pain threshold. The findings underline the causal role of hypotension in the augmented pain sensitivity related to this condition. Pain reduction as a function of heart rate decrease suggests involvement of a baroreceptor-related mechanism in the pain attrition. The increased proneness of persons with chronic hypotension toward clinical pain is discussed.

Relationship between a genetic predisposition to hypertension, blood pressure levels and pain sensitivity

Pain ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigina Guasti ◽  
Giovanni Gaudio ◽  
Danilo Zanotta ◽  
Paola Grimoldi ◽  
Maria Rosaria Petrozzino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Genetic Predisposition ◽  
Pain Sensitivity
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