Abstract
Aim of the studyChronic exposure to high blood pressure may lead to the development of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD). This study compares styles and strategies of coping with stress in hypertensive patients with arterial stiffness or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and in individuals with hypertension, but without HMOD.Subject or material and methodsEach study participant (n=93) underwent the following procedures: clinical assessment, echocardiography, pulse wave velocity measurement and psychological testing. Blood pressure in the study group was measured using ABPM method. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was assessed to identify patients with arterial stiffness. Left ventricular mass index was measured to diagnose LVH. Each patient was also assessed using three psychometric tools: PSS-10, CISS and Brief COPE.ResultsSubjects with arterial stiffness (increased PWV) scored significantly lower than patients with normal PWV in three scales: CISS Avoidance-oriented coping (39 vs. 41.5; p=0.042), Brief COPE Self-distraction (1.5 vs. 2; p=0.013) and Brief COPE Venting (1 vs. 1.5; p=0.037). Individuals with LVH had significantly lower results in Brief COPE scale Use of emotional support scale than hypertensive subjects with normal values of left ventricular mass index (1.5 vs. 2; p=0.041).DiscussionIn our study group hypertensive patients with HMOD preferred different coping styles and strategies than individuals with hypertension, but without vascular and cardiac damage. It is possible that some coping styles and strategies may moderate the risk of HMOD.ConclusionsHMOD may be associated with coping styles and strategies, but future research in this field is necessary to fully understand results of this study.
Highlights
Chronic exposure to high blood pressure may damage major organs in the body and increase the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, renal failure, retinopathy and other medical conditions [2]
hypertensionmediated organ damage (HMOD) may be associated with coping styles and strategies, but further research is necessary to fully understand the results of this study
pulse wave velocity (PWV) was negatively correlated with the following Brief COPE scales: Self-distraction and Venting
Summary
Chronic exposure to high blood pressure may damage major organs in the body (e.g. heart, kidneys or brain [1]) and increase the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, renal failure, retinopathy and other medical conditions [2]. Subtler damage to certain organs (hypertension-mediated organ damage – HMOD, known as target organ damage – TOD) can be detected in hypertensive patients early in the disease, even before overt clinical events occur [3,4]. According to British scientists, many different pathophysiological processes are involved in the development of HMOD. These include: endothelial activation, platelet activation, increased thrombogenesis, changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and collagen turnover [4]. The search for asymptomatic HMOD improves prediction of overall cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients [5] and helps to identify high-risk individuals in whom a more intense treatment is necessary [3]
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