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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.