OBJECTIVE:

To assess the interactive effect of chronic stress and emotional expressiveness (EE) on blood pressure (BP) in older adults.

METHOD:

Among spousal caregivers (n=111) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, BP was assessed at home by a visiting nurse every 6 months for 7 years. Caregiving demands, EE, social desirability and hostility were also assessed.

RESULTS:

State hostility was more prevalent among newer caregivers and those encountering more dementia problem behaviors and ADL limitations but unrelated to BP or BP change (P>.05). In a cross-sectional analysis, higher diastolic BP was associated with more spousal problem behaviors and being less emotionally expressive (P<.05). Longitudinal (growth curve analysis) increases in diastolic BP were predicted by providing more spousal ADL assistance (P<.05) but not by EE.

CONCLUSION:

Both caregiving stress and low EE may contribute independently to hypertension risk in the elderly.