Effect of Anxiety on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive COVID-19 Patients

Objective: Hypertension is the most common comorbidity accompanying COVID‐19. In addition, a history of hypertension has been cor‐\rrelated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of significant anxiety on blood pressure regulation in hyper‐\rtensive patients during the COVID‐19 outbreak.\rMaterial and Method: A total of 218 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID‐19 were included in the study. The mean age of the\rpatients was 63±9 years, and 53.2% were female. Patients with a history of uncontrolled hypertension or irregular drug use during hos‐\rpitalization were excluded from the study. Anxiety levels of all patients were determined using the Beck Anxiety Scale (cut‐off point\r≥10). During the isolated ward follow‐up of the patients, blood pressure values were monitored. Additional antihypertensive drug re‐\rquirements were recorded.\rResults: Anxiety is a prevalent symptom in hypertensive patients followed in isolated wards due to COVID‐19 (39.4%). In addition, anx‐\riety is more common in the female gender (61.6% vs. 47.7%; p = 0.044). The need for additional antihypertensive medication increases\rapproximately twofold in patients with anxiety (15.9% vs. 29.1%; p = 0.020). The length of hospital stay was also meaningfully longer\rin the group with significant anxiety (6.0 ± 2.9 days vs. 7.1 ± 3.2 days; p = 0.034). However, anxiety did not affect prognostic conditions\rsuch as intensive care unit referral and mortality.\rConclusion: Anxiety is a common psychological disorder in patients treated for COVID‐19. In addition, anxiety is directly related to blood\rpressure regulation. In the management of the COVID‐19 outbreak, psychological support treatment in addition to medical treatment\rmay be beneficial, especially in patients with comorbidities such as hypertension.