Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical
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The mechanisms involved in the relationship between pain perception and hypertension are poorly understood. This study has sought to investigate whether the spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and the autonomic nervous system balance are related to hypertension-associated hypoalgesia. ⋯ The relationship found between unstimulated baroreflex sensitivity and pain threshold suggests a modulation of pain perception by baroreflex pathways in hypertension-associated hypoalgesia. In a baseline condition, the autonomic nervous system balance does not seem to influence pain sensitivity.