Differences in anxiety, depression, stress and social support between hypertensive an normotensive subjects

Arterial hypertension is one of the principal risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There is strong evidence of the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress and the deficit of social support and the CVD, and that such psychological variables have an influence on arterial hypertension. The aim of this investigation has been to provide further information on the supposed relationships between such variables and arterial hypertension. Method: differences in anxiety, depression, level of stress and level of social support were studied between a group of 73 diagnosed hypertensives patients and a group of 73 healthy equivalent controls. Results: significant differences in anxiety and depression levels were found between both groups, hypertensives revealing the highest values. Significant differences in levels of stress and social support were not found between both groups.