Daily mood states and ambulatory blood pressure

In this study, we examined relationships between moods and both ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate in 197 men and women college students. Participants who reported frequently feeling angry during the day had higher levels of blood pressure, especially diastolic pressure during sleep. Reports of sad feelings were positively correlated and reports of pleasant or happy were negatively correlated with diastolic pressure during sleep. Participants scoring high on hostility and anxiety trait measures and low on defensiveness reported negative moods more frequently. Cluster analysis identified different mood profiles. Participants characterized by reports of all negative moods plus anger had high scores on trait hostility and consistently higher levels of blood pressure, particularly diastolic pressure during sleep. Heart rate was not related to mood reports. Hostile and anxious behavioral dispositions may play a role in sleep disturbance and high levels of blood pressure. Positive moods may counter these effects.