Do Depressive Symptoms Predict Blood Pressure Control in US Veterans?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Mental Health in Veterans
• Public Health

Background:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) is a prevalent chronic condition among US veterans.
• Effective blood pressure control is crucial for preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases.
• Depressive symptoms are a known risk factor for uncontrolled blood pressure, and veterans experience high rates of depression, yet this relationship remains understudied in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between moderately severe-to-severe depressive symptoms and the risk of uncontrolled blood pressure in US veterans.
• To compare the risk of uncontrolled blood pressure in veterans with different levels of depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a population-based sample of US veterans from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2016).
• Logistic regression models were employed, adjusting for marital status, age, and body mass index.
• Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); uncontrolled blood pressure was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg.

Main Results:

• Approximately 43% of US veterans had uncontrolled blood pressure.
• Veterans with none-to-minimal depressive symptoms constituted 78.2% of the sample.
• Moderately severe-to-severe depressive symptoms were associated with a significantly lower risk of uncontrolled blood pressure (adjusted odds ratio = 0.28).

Conclusions:

• US veterans experiencing moderately severe-to-severe depressive symptoms were less likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure compared to those with none-to-minimal symptoms.
• The findings suggest an inverse relationship between severe depressive symptoms and uncontrolled blood pressure in veterans, contrary to initial hypotheses.
• Further research is warranted to explore unique veteran-specific factors that may explain this unexpected association.