Introduction: Hypertension is a real public health problem. His pathogenesis involves a combination of several factors including environmental and psychosocial factors.
Aim: We focus on the links between the blood pressure imbalance and some psychosocial factors in a population of ambulatory patients with hypertension.
Method: It was a cross-sectional study on 100 patients with hypertension followed up in Cardiology in Sfax (Tunisia). Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Behavioral pattern was evaluated by a clinical interview, referring to the model of Friedman and Rosenman. We also collected socio-environmental, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic data.
Results: The most predictive factors of an unbalanced blood pressure were independently: personality type "A" or unspecified (p = 0002), high fat diet (p = 0026), poor drug adherence (p = 0038) and depression (p = 0015).
Conclusions: Several sociodemographic and lifestyle factors are interrelated and implicated in the blood pressure imbalance, suggesting the need of a hygienic behavior joining the international recommendations. We insist on the treatment of the anxious and depressive disease and the psychotherapeutic approach of some personality patterns in the management of hypertension.