Body Position Influences Cardiovascular Disgust Reactivity

Abstract

It has been suggested that elevated trait disgust constitutes a vulnerability factor for fainting episodes. We tested the hypothesis that disgust-prone individuals are susceptible to vasovagal syncope by means of a tilt table experiment, during which 30 women were presented with disgusting pictures in a supine and a 70° upright position. The results showed that relative to disgust elicitation in the supine position, tilting reduced diastolic blood pressure during disgust elicitation, which could indicate increased risk for presyncope. Moreover, self-reported disgust proneness was positively correlated with heart rate during disgust induction in the tilted position. This association may point to a compensatory mechanism that aims at stabilizing mean arterial pressure. Disgust-prone individuals possibly utilized this mechanism more extensively to prevent fainting. Future investigations with a longer duration should follow up on this finding and compare the onset of presyncope between high and low disgust-prone individuals.

The Role of Perceived Control in the Psychophysiological Responses to Disgust of Subclinical OCD Women

“…The majority of studies have observed a heart rate deceleration during disgust provocation [20,21,22,23]. Nevertheless, other studies have reported heart rate accelerations associated with exposure to disgusting stimuli [24,25,26]. Moreover, it has been suggested that the physical dimension of disgust elicits enhanced activity of the parasympathetic nervous system (increased HRV), whereas heart rate does not show any changes [27].…”

Disgust-Eliciting Pathogen Threats and Salivary Immune Responses

“…The sum of these phenomena is thought to serve as a compensatory mechanism to stabilize potentially harmful arterial pressure. These findings also call attention to the interesting relationship between HR and potential immunity from pathogen threats (Schienle et al, 2015). For example, during times of non-chronic stress, the sympathetic nervous system can elevate HR and release neurotransmitters that bind to receptors on the surfaces of various immune cells that result in enhanced immune responses (Kenney & Ganta, 2014).…”

“…Emotional stimuli such as disgust have been found to greatly influence HR (Schienle et al, 2015). Schienle and colleagues (2015) carried out a tilt-table study that had disgust-sensitive women shown disgusting pictures in both a 70° upright position and a supine position (Schienle et al, 2015). They found that while experiencing disgust in an upright tilted position, diastolic blood pressure drops, leading to potential lightheadedness and fainting spells.…”

“…In the case of chronic stress, which is marked by frequently elevated HR, immune function usually becomes diminished (Benham et al, 2009; Keaney et al, 2018; Kenney & Ganta, 2014). Because fluctuations in HR are associated with stress from pathogen threats, the decline of immune function in the presence of chronic stress is evidence of a functionally flexible relationship between both immune systems (Ackerman et al, 2018; Schaller & Park, 2011; Schienle et al, 2015).…”

“…Heart rate (HR) is a classic measure of stress, and it is a biomarker for autonomic functioning (Paran et al, 1996; Ramaekers et al, 1998; Richesin et al, 2019; Robinson et al, 1966; Yamashita et al, 2006). Emotional stimuli such as disgust have been found to greatly influence HR (Schienle et al, 2015). Schienle and colleagues (2015) carried out a tilt-table study that had disgust-sensitive women shown disgusting pictures in both a 70° upright position and a supine position (Schienle et al, 2015).…”