Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cold pressor test
Introduction
The cold pressor test is a cardiovascular test performed by immersing the hand into an ice-water container, usually for one minute, and measuring changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Its response is clinically indicative concerning vascular response and pulse excitability.
Physiology
Physiology
Sensory afferents trigger a systemic sympathetic activation leading to marked vasodilation. The result is an elevated pulse pressure(normal is 70mm Hg), due to catecholamine release. This increased pressure fills the ventricle to a greater extent, but stroke volume decreases for by an increase in afterload.
References
References
A. B. Lafleche et al. Arterial response during cold pressor test in borderline hypertension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 275: H409-H415, 1998;
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Search infobox C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]