Coping with stress and hypertension-mediated organ damage

Aim of the study: Chronic exposure to high blood pressure may lead to the development of hypertensionmediated 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. Material and methods: Each 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. Results: Subjects with arterial stiffness (increased PWV) scored significantly lower than patients with normal PWV in three scales: CISS Avoidance-oriented coping (median values: 39 vs. 41.5; p=0.042), Brief COPE Self-distraction (median values: 1.5 vs. 2; p=0.013) and Brief COPE Venting (median values: 1 vs. 1.5; p=0.037). Individuals with LVH had significantly lower results in Brief COPE Use of emotional support scale than hypertensive subjects with normal left ventricular mass index (median values: 1.5 vs. 2; p=0.041). Discussion: In our study group, hypertensive patients with HMOD preferred different coping styles and strategies than individuals with hypertension, but without vascular and cardiac damage. The mechanism underlying these differences is probably complex. Conclusions: HMOD may be associated with coping styles and strategies, but further research is necessary to fully understand the results of this study