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Anxiety, Depression, and Pain: Considerations in the Treatment of Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension

  • Hypertension and Emergency Medicine (T Rainer and P Levy, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The association between mental health, pain, and treatment-resistant hypertension is an important consideration for treating physicians. We review and discuss the connection between conditions of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain and their effect on uncontrolled hypertension.

Recent Findings

There is significant co-occurrence of hypertension with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain which may lead to undertreatment of hypertension and undertreatment of the underlying mental health disorder. The association between mental health and hypertension is complex and is modulated by physiologic and environmental factors.

Summary

Physicians treating patients with hypertension should be cognizant of the role anxiety, depression, and chronic pain play in treatment efficacy and compliance. Patients undergoing treatment should be screened for mental health disorders at treatment initiation and frequently thereafter to ensure optimal overall health and compliance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Henry Ford Hospital, Emergency Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Mohamed Serhan Hamam, Elizabeth Kunjummen, Md. Shahed Hussain, Stephanie Bennett & Joseph Miller

  2. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Mohamed Nasereldin & Joseph Miller

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  1. Mohamed Serhan Hamam
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Correspondence to Joseph Miller.

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Hamam, M.S., Kunjummen, E., Hussain, M.S. et al. Anxiety, Depression, and Pain: Considerations in the Treatment of Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 22, 106 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-020-01117-2

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