Alterations with aging in the responses of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) reactivity were investigated during mild mental stress induced by undergoing a psychometric test, in 52 women and men aged 18-73 years, with no history of cardiovascular, renal or neurological deficits. HR and BP responses were measured before, during and after the test. Resting HR and diastolic BP (DBP) were not age-related while resting systolic BP (SBP) was. HR and SBP were increased during test performance. HR reactivity, measured during task execution as well as during recovery, was significantly decreased in older subjects. DBP recovery variation was lowered with age. These results indicate that age is an important determinant of the magnitude of cardiovascular adjustment during minor mental stress in women and men.

Alterations with ageing in the responses of heart rate (HR), urinary excretion of free epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) and anxiety were investigated during mild mental stress. Forty-eight normal male volunteers were studied: in control conditions; when subjected to psychometric tests; and during recovery. Men in their seventies had lower baseline levels of HR, E and NE than men in their fifties. Several anxiety indices were positively correlated with E. HR and NE were positively correlated. During stress, mean HR and E levels increased in the two age groups by the same percentages. Mean HR and E levels returned to pre-stress values more slowly in the older age group.

Modifications with aging in heart rate reactivity was investigated during minor mental stress. 27 normal male volunteers, aged 51-55 years (n = 10) and 71-74 years (n = 17), were studied in control conditions and while passing a series of 5 psychometric test measuring memory or intellectual speed. Men in their 70s had both lower heart rate baseline levels and lower reactivity during cognitive tasks.

The experiments were done to investigate modifications with aging in reactivity and speed of recovery of the sympathetic adrenomedullary system during psychosocial stress. Normal male volunteers were studied. Urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline, diuresis, pH and specific gravity were measured. Adrenaline and noradrenaline baseline levels were lower in the older age group. Adrenaline levels increased by the same percent during stress in the two age groups, but came back to pre-stress values more slowly in older subjects, as did blood pressure.