The relationship between critical flicker fusion frequency and arterial resting blood pressure

Abstract

The relationship between the cardiovascular and visual systems was examined via critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) and resting systolic blood pressure (SBP). Three different studies were conducted. Study 1 assessed and found a significant positive correlation (p < .0002) between resting SBP and CFF (N = 221). Study 2 assessed whether resting SBP and CFF covary across time for a given individual (N = 12). The statistical results of this study were mixed. A multiple regression analysis (using time as a factor) revealed that three participants showed highly significant covariation, six participants showed marginally significant covariation, and three participants did not show a relationship between CFF and SBP. Study 3 measured the effects of blood pressure (BP) medication on the relationship between SBP and CFF (N = 1). This preliminary case study indicated the possibility that BP medication could lower CFF thresholds as well as SBP.