Researchers at Michigan State University recently found a correlation between psychiatric illness and hypertension. According to the study, approximately 50% of individuals who were hospitalized for bipolar disorder had high blood pressure. They also found that the younger the age of diagnosis for any psychiatric illness, the greater the likeliness that they will develop hypertension.
Bipolar disorder is a serious psychiatric condition that affects a significant percentage of the population. 99 patients who were hospitalized for this disorder were analyzed by the research team, led by Dr. Dale D’Mello, a psychiatrist at Michigan State. Dr. D’Mello’s team found that the bipolar patients who had hypertension had more severe manic episodes.
Bipolar disorder and hypertension can both be triggered by stress. By understanding the relationship between these two disorders, doctors can provide more effective treatment for patients with this disorder. According to Dr. D’Mello, the findings support the need for a more aggressive treatment approach for high blood pressure in patients with bipolar disorder.
Dr. D’Mello presented the results of his study at the 2010 annual meeting of the APA which was held in New Orleans.
