Scalco AZ, Scalco MZ, Azul JBS, Lotufo Neto F. Hypertension and depression. Clinics. 2005;60(3):241-50.Despite the high prevalence of depression and hypertension, the relationship between the two diseases has received little attention. This paper reviews the epidemiological, pathophysiological, and prognostic aspects of this association, as well as its implications for treatment. A Medline search was conducted using the following key words: depression, blood pressure, blood pressure variability, physical morbidity, hypertension, mood, stress, hypertension, antidepressive agents, and genetics, from 1980 to 2004. We found descriptions of increased prevalence of hypertension in depressed patients, increased prevalence of depression in hypertensive patients, association between depressive symptomatology and hypotension, and alteration of the circadian variation of blood pressure in depressed patients. There is considerable evidence suggesting that hyperreactivity of the sympathetic nervous system and genetic influences are the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between depression and hypertension. Depression can negatively affect the course of hypertensive illness. Additionally, the use of antidepressive agents can interfere with blood pressure control of patients with hypertension by inducing changes in blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension.Several studies have focused on the association between depression and cardiovascular diseases; however, the relationship between depression and hypertension has received less attention. Nevertheless, interactions between blood pressure (BP) and psychic factors have been observed. O'Hare observed that by asking hypertensive patients to talk about health problems or other life stresses, he could induce substantial increases in their BP, and while after resting quietly for 20 to 40 minutes, they had large drops in BP. 1 Over the next several decades, these observations were replicated many times by other investigators who also found that BP measurements by a doctor are frequently accompanied by marked increased BP and heart rate (HR). This increase (named the "white-coat" effect) is quite common and is believed to be a consequence of an anxiety response to the doctor's visit. 2 Since both hypertension and depression are highly prevalent, it is extremely important to better understand the relationship between them.
METHODThis paper reviews the epidemiological, pathophysiological, and prognostic aspects of the association between hypertension and depression, as well as its implications for treatment. The method was a Medline search, which was conducted using the following key words: depression, blood pressure (BP), blood pressure variability (BPV), physical morbidity, hypertension, mood, stress, hypertension, antidepressive agents, and genetics, from 1980 to 2004.
RESULTS
Epidemiologics aspectsBoth hypertension and hypotension have been observed in association with depression or depressive symptoms. CLINICS 2005;60(3):241-50 Hypertension and depression Scalco AZ et al.
