Resumo

MOLERIO PEREZ, Osana  e  GARCIA ROMAGOSA, Georgina. Influence of stress and emotions on essential arterial hypertension. Rev cubana med [online]. 2004, vol.43, n.2-3. ISSN 0034-7523.

An exploratory descriptive study was conducted and comparisons were made between a group of 25 normotensive individuals and another group of 25 patients with essential arterial hypertension (AHT) aimed at evaluating the stress and emotional functioning in the second group. A predominance of intensive negative personal experiences that are and high levels of vulnerability to stress were observed in the hypertensive patients. A prevalence of moderate depression and levels of trait anxiety and anxiety state ranging from median to high distinguish patients with essential arterial hypertension from the group of normotensive subjects. Recommendations were made in relation to the need of provinding comprehensive care to these patients.

Palavras-chave : Emotions; stress; essential arterial hypertension; anxiety; depression.