2.3.3. Brachial and Aortic Blood Pressures at Rest and During the CPT

Brachial SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured using an automated oscillometric device (HEM-705CP; Omron Healthcare, Vernon Hill, IL, USA). Radial artery pressure waves recorded using applanation tonometry were calibrated with brachial mean arterial pressure (MAP) and DBP. Aortic hemodynamics were obtained via a validated transfer function (SphygmoCor CPV; AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia). A minimum of two highquality readings (operator index ≥ 80%) were obtained at rest and during the CPT and the average was used for analysis. The participants introduced their right hand up to the wrist in cold water at 1–4 ◦C for 2 min. The increase in BP from rest to the second minute of the CPT (Δ) was used for the analysis, since greater sympathetic activity occurs at this time point [16].
