The objective of this study was to assess the relation
between the intensity of single moods and of mood combinations
on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). The subjects
were 203 healthy registered nurses, all women, who were
studied on two work and two off days. Ambulatory BP and
HR were recorded every 20 min. On each occasion subjects
rated their moods on a 5-point scale. Graded increases
in BP and HR were shown with higher ratings of negative
moods and decreases for a mood related to energy level.
Little change was observed for a positive mood. These effects
depended on concurrent changes in other moods. A positive
mood countered the effects of a negative mood, whereas
two negative moods resulted in unique patterns of BP and
HR. The energy level mood moderated the cardiovascular
effects of positive and negative moods. Ambulatory methods
provide a way of probing into the nature and consequences
of everyday emotional experiences.