Gender Differences in Physiological Cardiovascular Reactivity to Cold Pressor Stress Test: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Introduction: The Cold Pressor Test (CPT) is a recognized method for assessing autonomic function by evaluating cardiovascular responses to cold-induced stress. Understanding gender-specific variations in autonomic reactivity, particularly changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, is an important area of physiological research. Aims and Objective: This study aimed to examine and compare the physiological responses to the cold pressor test between healthy adult males and females, focusing on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), as well as pulse rate at various time intervals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 30 healthy individuals (15 males and 15 females) aged 18 to 40 years. SBP, DBP, and pulse rate were recorded at baseline (pre-test), during the CPT, and post-test at 1 minute and 5 minutes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and comparisons between the sexes were made using independent t-tests. The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Male participants exhibited significantly higher SBP and DBP compared to females at all time points. For example, during the test, males showed an SBP of 131.87 ± 4.53 mmHg versus 113.07 ± 5.62 mmHg in females (p < 0.001). Diastolic pressures were similarly elevated (p < 0.001). Pulse rate was also higher in males, especially during the test (90.27 ± 3.89 vs. 87.00 ± 6.59; p = 0.048). Although values declined toward baseline at 5 minutes post-test, males consistently maintained higher readings. Conclusion: This study highlights significant gender differences in cardiovascular autonomic responses to the cold pressor test. Males demonstrated a more pronounced increase in SBP, DBP, and pulse rate, suggesting greater sympathetic activation in response to cold-induced stress. These findings underscore the need to consider sex-specific variations when interpreting autonomic function tests and probability of higher cardiovascular risk in males and lower risk in females due to the role of female hormones.