Anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in adults with arterial hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has produced an increase in mortality rates. One of the main risk groups is made up of people with high blood pressure. Objective: To explore the anxiety and fear reactions to COVID-19 in adults with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive design was used through questionnaires in 400 hypertensive adults. The sampling was non-probabilistic and intentional. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used. Processing was carried out using the SPSS-25 / Windows statistical package, based on frequency analysis. The T test was applied for independent samples and effect sizes were calculated. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used. Results: Low levels of anxiety were found in the face of COVID-19; and moderate and low levels of fear. The anxiety and fear indexes before COVID-19 were higher in the female sex. Adults with other chronic noncommunicable diseases were those who exhibited the highest levels of fear and anxiety about COVID-19. Associations were found between fear and anxiety about COVID-19. The presence of other chronic conditions was related to manifestations of anxiety and fear in the face of COVID-19. Conclusions: There were no clinical signs of anxiety and fear associated with COVID-19 in hypertensive patients.

Keywords

• ansiedad
• covid-19
• enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles
• hipertensión arterial
• miedo.