Investigation of the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients by the hospital anxiety and depression scale

Abstract

The development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with hypertension increases the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. It is known that psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression are associated with hypertension (HT) and other cardiovascular diseases. HT patients were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic and laboratory data of the patients were recorded. LVH was seen in 34 of 103 patients, and LVH was not seen in 69 patients. The mean age was 47.8 years in the group with LVH and 49.5 in the group with non-LVH. According to the results of our study, there was no significant difference between the LVH group and the Non-LVH group in terms of age, gender, BMI, smoking, loneliness status, and EF. The most striking result of our study was that the HADS score was significantly higher in the group with LVH than in the group with Non-LVH (p<0.001). The glucose level was significantly higher in the group with LVH than in the group with non-LVH (p<0.001). Patients should be aware of adverse cardiac outcomes according to their anxiety level, and precautions should be taken while performing mental health interventions and treatments. In order to better explain the causes and pathophysiology that may lead to LVH in anxiety disorders and depression, more comprehensive and molecular-level investigations are required.