{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Associations of Anxiety Symptoms With 6-Year Blood Pressure Changes and Incident Hypertension: Results From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.
{Author}: Rosas CE;Pirzada A;Durazo-Arvizu R;Gallo LC;Talavera GA;Elfassy T;Cai J;Llabre MM;Perreira KM;Wassertheil-Smoller S;Daviglus ML;Sanchez-Johnsen LAP;
{Journal}: Ann Behav Med
{Volume}: 58
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jun 18
{Factor}: 4.871
{DOI}: 10.1093/abm/kaae026
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Despite the high burden of anxiety and hypertension in Hispanic/Latino adults, little is known about their association in this population.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To examine the associations of anxiety symptoms with 6-year changes in blood pressure (BP) and incident hypertension in Hispanic/Latino adults.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We examined data from a probability sample of 10,881 Hispanic/Latino persons aged 18-74 who attended visits 1 (V1; 2008-2011) and 2 (V2; 2014-2017) of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a prospective cohort study. Anxiety symptoms were assessed at V1 using the 10-item Spielberger Trait Anxiety Scale (M = 17.1; Range = 10-40) and dichotomized using a cut-point of 20, the highest quartile in this cohort. BP was measured at both visits using a standardized protocol.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Adults with elevated anxiety symptoms had a 1.02 mm Hg greater increase in systolic (p = .02) and a 0.75 mm Hg greater increase in diastolic BP (p = .02) over 6.1 years than those with lower symptoms, after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. These associations differed by sex. Elevated anxiety was associated with a greater increase in systolic and diastolic BP in men only. Among persons without hypertension at V1 (N = 7,412), those with elevated anxiety symptoms at V1 had a 22% higher incidence of hypertension (p = .02) 6.1 years later.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings underscore the importance of screening for and treating elevated anxiety symptoms to help prevent hypertension. Further research on the role of sex and underlying mechanisms is warranted.<BR>This study investigated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and changes in blood pressure, as well as the incidence of hypertension among Hispanic/Latino adults over time. Using data from 10,881 Hispanic/Latino adults who participated in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, we found that men, but not women, with elevated anxiety symptoms experienced a greater increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over a 6-year period compared to those with lower symptoms. Additionally, among 7,412 participants who were free of hypertension at baseline, individuals with elevated anxiety symptoms developed hypertension at a higher rate after 6 years of follow-up compared to those with lower symptoms. These findings suggest that anxiety symptoms play a role in the development of hypertension among Hispanic/Latino adults, underscoring the importance of screening for and addressing elevated anxiety to potentially prevent hypertension.