We investigated the cardiovascular responses to active standing in Swedish and Japanese pre-pubertal children using non-invasive continuous beat-to-beat finger blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Seventy-eight Swedish (7-12 years) and 53 Japanese children (6-12 years) were examined. There were no significant differences in body weight or height between the two groups (total group). Finger blood pressure and heart rate were continuously recorded in the supine position and during standing. Supine BP was significantly higher in Swedish compared to Japanese children (115/65 vs 98/50 mmHg, P