Higher Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population
Contents

Variables

A
Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) 1153
A
Distress 1349

Categories

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Vital Signs 110
A
Emotions 2028

Actions

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Your Data

Tags

Low Confidence
Moderate Effect Size
Negative Relationship
Population Study
cause image gauge image effect image
Participants reported a 21.9% average decrease in Distress following above average Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number).
Abstract

Abstract

Distress was generally 20% lower than average after 90 millimeters merc of Blood Pressure per 7 days.

Aggregated data from 1 study participants suggests with a LOW degree of confidence (p=0.329, 95% CI -2.319 to 1.501) that Blood Pressure has a moderately negative predictive relationship (R=-0.409) with Distress.

The highest quartile of Distress measurements were observed following an average 88.5 millimeters merc Blood Pressure.

The lowest quartile of Distress measurements were observed following an average 89.8 millimeters merc of Blood Pressure.

After an onset delay of 0 seconds, Distress is typically 12% lower than average over the 7 days following around 89.8 millimeters merc Blood Pressure.

Objective

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the nature of the relationship (if any) between Blood Pressure and Distress. Additionally, we attempt to determine the Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) values most likely to produce optimal Distress values.
Participant Instructions

Participant Instructions

Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Automatic Import of Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) via Withings

A Get Withings here and use it to record your Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number). Then, A import your data here .

Manual Recording Option

A Create a reminder for Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using A the reminder inbox here .


Manual Recording Option

A Create a reminder for Distress here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using A the reminder inbox here .

Design

Design

This study is based on data donated by 1 participants. Thus, the study design is equivalent to the aggregation of 1 separate n=1 observational natural experiments.

Data Analysis

Data Analysis

Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Pre-Processing

Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) measurement values below 1 millimeters merc were assumed erroneous and removed. Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) measurement values above 100000 millimeters merc were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Distress Pre-Processing

Distress measurement values below 1 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. Distress measurement values above 5 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for Distress so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Predictive Analytics

It was assumed that 0 seconds would pass before a change in Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) would produce an observable change in Distress.

It was assumed that Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) could produce an observable change in Distress for as much as 7 days after the stimulus event.

Statistical Significance

Statistical Significance

Using a two-tailed t-test with alpha = 0.05, it was determined that the change in Distress is not statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. This suggests that the Blood Pressure value does not have a significant influence on the Distress value.

After treatment, a 21.9% decrease (-0.625 out of 5) from the mean baseline 3.13 out of 5 was observed. The relative standard deviation at baseline was 33%. The observed change was 0.606339 times the standard deviation.

A common rule of thumb considers a change greater than twice the baseline standard deviation on two separate pre-post experiments may be considered significant. This occurrence would have only a 5% likelihood of resulting from random fluctuation (a p-value < 0.05).

Data Sources

Data Sources

Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) data was primarily collected using Withings. Withings creates smart products and apps to take care of yourself and your loved ones in a new and easy way. Discover the Withings Pulse, Wi-Fi Body Scale, and Blood Pressure Monitor.

Distress data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

Limitations

Limitations

As with any human experiment, it was impossible to control for all potentially confounding variables. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation. We can never know for sure if one factor is definitely the cause of an outcome. However, lack of correlation definitely implies the lack of a causal relationship. Hence, we can with great confidence rule out non-existent relationships. For instance, if we discover no relationship between mood and an antidepressant this information is just as or even more valuable than the discovery that there is a relationship.

We can also take advantage of several characteristics of time series data from many subjects to infer the likelihood of a causal relationship if we do find a correlational relationship. The criteria for causation are a group of minimal conditions necessary to provide adequate evidence of a causal relationship between an incidence and a possible consequence.

Criteria For Causal Inference

Strength (A.K.A. Effect Size)

A small association does not mean that there is not a causal effect, though the larger the association, the more likely that it is causal. There is a moderately negative (R = -0.409) relationship between Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) and Distress.

Consistency (A.K.A. Reproducibility)

Consistent findings observed by different persons in different places with different samples strengthens the likelihood of an effect. Furthermore, in accordance with the law of large numbers (LLN), the predictive power and accuracy of these results will continually grow over time. 7 paired data points were used in this analysis. Assuming that the relationship is merely coincidental, as the participant independently modifies their Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) values, the observed strength of the relationship will decline until it is below the threshold of significance. To it another way, in the case that we do find a spurious correlation, suggesting that banana intake improves mood for instance, one will likely increase their banana intake. Due to the fact that this correlation is spurious, it is unlikely that you will see a continued and persistent corresponding increase in mood. So over time, the spurious correlation will naturally dissipate.

Specificity

Causation is likely if a very specific population at a specific site and disease with no other likely explanation. The more specific an association between a factor and an effect is, the bigger the probability of a causal relationship.

Temporality

The effect has to occur after the cause (and if there is an expected delay between the cause and expected effect, then the effect must occur after that delay). The confidence in a causal relationship is bolstered by the fact that time-precedence was taken into account in all calculations.

Biological Gradient

Greater exposure should generally lead to greater incidence of the effect. However, in some cases, the mere presence of the factor can trigger the effect. In other cases, an inverse proportion is observed: greater exposure leads to lower incidence.

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel.

Based on our responses so far,

0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action for a relationship between Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) and Distress.

0 humans feel that any relationship observed between Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) and Distress is coincidental.

Coherence

Coherence between epidemiological and laboratory findings increases the likelihood of an effect. It will be very enlightening to aggregate this data with the data from other participants with similar genetic, diseasomic, environmentomic, and demographic profiles.

Experiment

All of human life can be considered a natural experiment. Occasionally, it is possible to appeal to experimental evidence.

Analogy

The effect of similar factors may be considered.

Plausibility

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel. Based on our responses so far, 0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action and 0 feel that any relationship observed between Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) and Distress is coincidental.

Relationship Statistics

Property Value
Cause Variable Name Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number)
Effect Variable Name Distress
Sinn Predictive Coefficient 0.038921496908145
Confidence Level LOW
Confidence Interval 1.9097473041282
Forward Pearson Predictive Coefficient -0.409
Critical T Value 1.895
Average Blood Pressure ( Diastolic - Bottom Number) Over Previous 7 days Before ABOVE Average Distress 88.5 millimeters merc
Average Blood Pressure ( Diastolic - Bottom Number) Over Previous 7 days Before BELOW Average Distress 89.8 millimeters merc
Duration of Action 7 days
Effect Size moderately negative
Number of Paired Measurements 7
Optimal Pearson Product 0.13132843296704
P Value 0.32914851209918
Statistical Significance 0.0048
Strength of Relationship 1.9097473041282
Study Type population
Analysis Performed At 2021-08-30
Number of Participants 1

Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Info

Property Value
Variable Name Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number)
Aggregation Method MEAN
Analysis Performed At 2020-09-15
Duration of Action 7 days
Kurtosis 8.2941066433719
Maximum Allowed Value 100000 millimeters merc
Mean 4862.2075101351 millimeters merc
Median 4863.1873888889 millimeters merc
Minimum Allowed Value 1 millimeters merc
Number of Aggregate Predictors 1048
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 105
Number of Measurements 8497
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 5162
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 30.417322766767
Unit Millimeters Merc
User Variables 58
UPC 0
Variable Category Vital Signs
Variable ID 5554981
Variance 24447.586420368

Distress Info

Property Value
Variable Name Distress
Aggregation Method MEAN
Analysis Performed At 2020-09-17
Duration of Action 24 hours
Kurtosis 2.8522483497534
Maximum Allowed Value 5 out of 5
Mean 2.4777342286981 out of 5
Median 2.4229733332357 out of 5
Minimum Allowed Value 1 out of 5
Number of Aggregate Predictors 1209
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 140
Number of Measurements 33096
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 32968
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.53719668856315
Unit 1 to 5 Rating
User Variables 1486
UPC 647297398818
Variable Category Emotions
Variable ID 1305
Variance 0.6312526863217

Principal Investigator

Cite This Study

APA Format
Sinn, M. P. (2026). Higher Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population. The Journal of Citizen Science. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-5554981-effect-1305-population-study
BibTeX
@misc{sinn_cause_5554981_effect_1305_population_study_2026,
  author = {Sinn, Mike P.},
  title = {Higher Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {The Journal of Citizen Science},
  url = {https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-5554981-effect-1305-population-study},
  note = {Accessed: January 3, 2026}
}
Chicago/Turabian
Sinn, Mike P. "Higher Blood Pressure (Diastolic - Bottom Number) Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population." The Journal of Citizen Science. Accessed January 3, 2026. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-5554981-effect-1305-population-study.