Effects of stress on blood pressure in and health support for family caregivers of frail elderly

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This study focused on biological responses of caregivers to stress and examined stress factors and changes in blood pressure due to stress. The subjects were 50 family caregivers who lived with frail elderly receiving in-home care. Evaluation was performed on their blood pressure and chronic stress indicators: salivary secretory immunoglobulin A, salivary cortisol level, and reporting of subjective stress.The results showed that there was no difference in the pattern of blood pressure change between the high stress state and low stress state. Another examination was conducted one year later. It showed that individuals determined to have high blood pressure for the first time had Body Mass Index of 25 or more and a high chronic stress level based on objective indicators in the first examination. A lower chronic stress level was associated with better sleep and encouragement from others.