Dysregulated Blood Pressure: Can Regulating Emotions Help?

Abstract

Despite having identified key physiological and behavioral risk factors, the prevalence of hypertension continues to rise, affecting two-thirds of American adults 60 years or older. An important condition in its own right, hypertension is also a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; thus, identifying additional modifiable determinants remains a public health priority. Psychological states and negative emotions more specifically have been proposed as risk factors, but the research findings are inconsistent. Additional prospective studies have recently been published increasing the availability of longitudinal data. The aim of this literature review is to evaluate these findings focusing on those from the last three years. We synthesize current research on whether negative (e.g., depression, anxiety) or positive (e.g., optimism) emotion-related factors are associated with high blood pressure onset. We discuss discrepant findings and propose considering emotion regulation as a novel approach to explain inconsistencies. Finally, we provide thoughts on future research directions.

Cerebral Targeting of Acupuncture at Combined Acupoints in Treating Essential Hypertension: An Rs‐fMRI Study and Curative Effect Evidence

“…Therefore, it is suggested that the above brain areas may be associated with the targeting effect of acupuncture decreasing BP; the brain areas associated with the antihypertensive effect of LR3+KI3 were not simple superposition of the brain areas of targeting effect for antihypertensive effect of LR3 and KI3. Studies confirmed that emotional changes have a certain impact on change of BP; negative emotions have been linked to increases in blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and anger leading to increased risk of hypertension [36], and the findings indicated an association between high positive emotion and lower blood pressure among older Mexican Americans [37]. BAs 24, 31, and 32 are related to emotion; therefore, it is speculated that they may be the brain areas of targeting effect for acupuncture assistant antihypertensive effect.…”

Psychosocial Factors and Hypertension

“…39 For example, using data from the Heart Strategies Concentrating On Risk Evaluation, researchers noted that high levels of hostility are associated with an attenuated nocturnal decline in BP among Blacks and Whites. 40 A majority of research in this area has been limited to White men, 39 which also limits our understanding of racial and gender differences in levels of exposures to these risk factors and the extent to which the effects of such exposures vary by social group. In addition, as noted by Trudel-Fitzgerald and colleagues, few prospective studies with up-to-date methodology have been conducted within the last decade.…”

“…In addition, as noted by Trudel-Fitzgerald and colleagues, few prospective studies with up-to-date methodology have been conducted within the last decade. 39 However, longitudinal analyses from the Jackson Heart Study shows that African Americans with high anger-out (expressed rather than repressed anger) scores have a 20% increased risk of BP progression compared to African Americans with low anger-out scores. 41 Ideally, prospective studies are needed to identify the independent effect of anger (both experience and expression) on blood pressure in diverse population samples.…”

“…39 Growing evidence suggests that positive psychological well-being (PPWB), such as optimism, life satisfaction, and emotional vitality, is positively associated with hypertension and cardiovascular health risk factors (e.g., physical activity). 39,42 However, the link between PPWB and hypertension has not been well established due to methodological and measurement issues (e.g., the heterogeneity of hypertension measurements). 39 Similarly, while vitality predicts hypertension onset, 43 further research using a broader range of PPWB domains are needed to fully understand the influence of PPWB on hypertension.…”

“…39,42 However, the link between PPWB and hypertension has not been well established due to methodological and measurement issues (e.g., the heterogeneity of hypertension measurements). 39 Similarly, while vitality predicts hypertension onset, 43 further research using a broader range of PPWB domains are needed to fully understand the influence of PPWB on hypertension. Finally, emotion regulation, which refers to the monitoring of one’s emotional experiences and responses, may also influence physical health, including hypertension risk, but research in this area is limited by lack of diversity and longitudinal studies.…”