Relationship between perceived stress and levels of blood pressure: single center study

Abstract

<p><strong>Introduction. </strong>High blood pressure (HBP) is a significant cardiovascular risk factor, with hypertension recognized as a leading cause of global mortality. This study aims to investigate the correlation between perceived stress and <br />blood pressure levels among patients diagnosed with hypertension. <br /><strong>Methods.</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 80 hypertensive patients at the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases “Dedinje”. Comprehensive clinical examinations, including 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) assessments were performed. <br /><strong>Results.</strong> The results revealed a significant positive correlation between PSS scores and blood pressure levels (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), indicating that higher perceived stress is associated with elevated blood pressure. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was found between stress levels and sex or smoking status. <br /><strong>Conclusion.</strong> These findings underscore the importance of stress management interventions in hypertension treatment, suggesting that addressing perceived stress could enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients.</p>