The effect of lorazepam on hypertension-associated anxiety: a double-blind study

Sixty-two adults with a current diagnosis of significant hypertension and accompanying moderate to severe anxiety were medicated with lorazepam or with placebo for a period of 4 weeks. The patients were assessed by 7 cardiologists under double-blind conditions and the results pooled. Symptoms of anxiety were quantified using a Global Physician Rating, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and a Patient Self-Rating Scale. The symptoms of anxiety associated with hypertension were significantly relieved by lorazepam in comparison to placebo. Most lorazepam patients were controlled with 3 mg/day; except for 1 patient, side effects were mild and transient.