Higher SAHM scores were significantly associated with increased systolic BP (+3.3 mmHg), diastolic BP (+1.7 mmHg), and heart rate (+1.7 bpm) after full adjustment.
Does a higher SAHM score associate with increased resting blood pressure and heart rate in cardiac outpatients?
A higher cumulative psychological burden, quantified by the novel SAHM score, is significantly associated with elevated resting blood pressure and heart rate in cardiac outpatients.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Abstract Introduction Psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, and high mood are known to influence cardiovascular (CV) function. However, a comprehensive variable that integrates these factors to assess their cumulative impact on CV health is lacking. This study introduces a novel scoring approach to quantify this relationship. Aim This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between psychological state and CV function using a newly developed score, SAHM, which incorporates stress, anxiety, and high mood as key variables. Methods A total of 434 consecutive patients who presented to a cardiac outpatient clinic over the past six years were recruited. Patients were classified into two groups for each psychological condition (stress, anxiety, high mood) based on its presence or absence, as determined by a doctor-administered psycho-emotional questionnaire. Those with chronic or recent symptoms (≤3 months) were assigned to the exposed group, while those with past symptoms (3 months) were included in the control group. The SAHM score is a composite measure ranging from 0 to 3, derived from the sum of three dichotomous (0/1) qualitative variables: stress, anxiety, and high mood. A higher SAHM score reflects a greater psychological burden and potential impact on CV function. Resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured twice, 10 minutes apart, and compared between groups. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, smoking, coffee consumption, and physical activity. Results The mean age of patients was 66±17 years, and 56% were female. Hypertension was present in 263 (61%) patients, coronary artery disease in 94 (22%), and diabetes in 52 (12%). A total of 383 (88%) patients exhibited sinus rhythm, while 51 (12%) had atrial fibrillation or flutter. Mean blood pressure was 147±22/79±11 mmHg, and mean HR was 73±14 bpm. Stress was reported in 166 (38%), anxiety in 229 (53%), and high mood in 104 (24%). Psychological conditions were significantly more frequent among women than men (stress: χ²=10.1, p=0.002; anxiety: χ²=32.0, p0.0001; high mood: χ²=32.7, p0.0001). Univariable linear regression analysis showed a significant association between SAHM and SBP (β±SE=2.8±1.0, p=0.005), DBP (β±SE=1.4±0.5, p=0.005), and HR (β±SE=1.7±0.6, p=0.005). In fully adjusted models, SAHM remained significantly associated with SBP (β±SE=3.3±1.0, p=0.001), DBP (β±SE=1.7±0.5, p=0.001), and HR (β±SE=1.7±0.6, p=0.01). Similar results were observed in the second set of CV measurements. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that a higher SAHM score is significantly associated with increased SBP, DBP, and HR, indicating a notable impact of psychological conditions on CV function. This novel scoring system may serve as a useful tool in clinical assessment and CV prevention strategies.Association of SAHM Score with BP and HR
Berton et al. (Sat,) reported a other. Higher SAHM scores were significantly associated with increased systolic BP (+3.3 mmHg), diastolic BP (+1.7 mmHg), and heart rate (+1.7 bpm) after full adjustment.