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Allostatic overload in patients with essential hypertension
Jenny Guidi1, Marcella Lucente1, Antonio Piolanti1
1Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|December 22, 2019
Summary
Allostatic overload, a state of chronic stress, is significantly more prevalent in essential hypertension patients. This condition is linked to increased psychological distress, lower well-being, and higher cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a growing concern, with research exploring the link to psychosocial stress.
- Previous findings on stress and hypertension have been inconclusive, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate allostatic overload (AO) in essential hypertension patients using a clinimetric approach.
- To assess the relationship between AO, psychological distress, well-being, and cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- A clinimetric approach using semi-structured interviews to assess AO in 80 hypertensive patients and 80 controls.
- Administered clinical interviews and self-rating questionnaires for psychological distress and well-being.
- Collected cardiac variables and assessed psychosomatic syndromes and psychiatric diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Allostatic overload (AO) was found in 32.5% of hypertensive patients versus 7.5% of controls (p < .001).
- Hypertensive patients with AO reported higher psychological distress, lower well-being, and quality of life (p < .001).
- AO was associated with a higher prevalence of psychosomatic syndromes (p < .05) and greater cardiovascular risk (p < .05).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the clinical relevance of psychological assessment in essential hypertension management.
- Findings support the integration of psychological evaluation for non-pharmacological hypertension treatment strategies.
- Allostatic overload is a significant factor associated with essential hypertension and its complications.
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