Testing the Associations Between State and Trait Anxiety, Anger, Sadness, and Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Whether Race Impacts These Relationships.

This article investigates the differential effects of momentary anxiety, anger, and sadness on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and examines whether trait tendencies toward these emotions and race (Black vs. non-Black) moderate these relationships. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over two 24-hour periods with 153 participants, the study found that momentary anxiety uniquely predicted elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP), while anger and sadness did not show direct effects. Trait anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with higher blood pressure specifically in Black participants, suggesting these emotional dispositions may contribute to racial disparities in cardiovascular health. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on in-the-moment anxiety and anger as potential risk factors for hypertension and underscore the value of EMA methods in capturing dynamic emotion-physiology interactions.