Strict association between development of psychological conditions and hypertension incidence: A cross-sectional study

Background/Aims

Previous studies indicated a significant association between mental disorders and cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease (CAD) with comorbidity hypertension (HTN), and vice versa, leading to a challenge in the final decision. To resolve this issue, we aimed to exclude comorbidities and further assessed to better find any association between mental disorders and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Methods

The cross-sectional study involved 300 participants: 100 with HTN (without HF or CAD), 100 with HF (without HTN or CAD), 100 with CAD (without HTN or HF), and 100 healthy individuals as a control group. To evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress levels, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21) was applied. For further analysis, the SPSS ver.20 was used.

Results

The analysis showed that the score of depression, anxiety, and stress was higher in the HTN patients compared to the control (p < 0.001), CAD (p < 0.001), and HF (p < 0.001) groups, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed between the other study groups. Notably, patients with HF and CAD without concurrent HTN had similar psychological distress levels to healthy participants.

Conclusion

The present study emphasized the higher prevalence of psychological distress in HTN patients and suggests a requirement for further research regarding the etiology involved in this association.