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High psychological distress in hypertensive patients correlates with poorer blood pressure control. Patients with greater distress experienced less reduction in diastolic blood pressure and more resistant hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Hypertension remains a significant global health challenge, often requiring long-term management.
- Antihypertensive therapies are crucial, but patient adherence and psychological factors can impact efficacy.
- Understanding factors influencing hypertension control is vital for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between psychological distress and the control of hypertension in patients undergoing treatment.
- To determine if psychological distress affects the reduction of diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
- To assess the association between psychological distress and the likelihood of developing resistant hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 99 hypertensive patients on therapy for at least six months with diastolic blood pressure ≥ 105 mm Hg.
- Utilized a four-item scale to categorize patients based on psychological distress levels.
- Compared blood pressure reductions and rates of resistant hypertension between high-distress and lower-distress groups.
Main Results:
- Patients with the highest psychological distress (18/99) showed smaller reductions in diastolic blood pressure.
- The high psychological distress group was more likely to have resistant hypertension (diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mm Hg) at follow-up.
- These findings indicate a significant link between psychological distress and hypertension management outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Psychological distress appears to be a relevant factor in achieving adequate hypertension control.
- Interventions addressing psychological distress may improve therapeutic outcomes in hypertensive patients.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms and clinical implications of this relationship.
Abstract:
Ninety-nine hypertensive patients who had been on antihypertensive therapies for at least six months because of diastolic blood pressure of 105 mg Hg or more were interviewed immediately after seeing their physicians. A four-item scale was used to separate those exhibiting the highest amount of psychological distress (18 patients) from the remainder of the group (81 patients). Patients exhibiting the greatest amount of psychological distress had smaller reductions in diastolic blood pressures and were more likely to have resistant hypertension (diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 100 mm Hg) at the next follow-up visit. This study suggests that a relationship exists between psychologic distress and hypertension control. Possibilities for future research are discussed.