Heart rate and blood pressure changes during postural change and isometric handgrip exercise in patients with panic disorder and normal controls.

Changes in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured serially during postural changes and isometric hand grip exercise test (IHT) in 30 patients with panic disorder and 30 normal controls. Though there were no significant differences in the delta increase of HR or systolic or diastolic BP during these tests, the resting supine and standing diastolic BP were significantly higher in panic disorder patients than in controls. The standing mean BP was also significantly higher in panic disorder patients. These findings are suggestive of an increase in adrenergic tone in panic disorder patients.