Effects of Psycho-Cardiology Model-Based Psychological and Behavioural Management on Negative Emotions and Sleep Disorders in Patients With Resistant Hypertension Complicated by Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Background: To explore the effect of psychocardiology model-based psychological and behavioural management on top of routine cardiovascular treatment on negative emotions and sleep disorders in patients with resistant hypertension complicated by anxiety and depression.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed electronic medical records and follow-up data of patients treated in the Department of Cardiology of Tonglu Hospital, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital Tonglu Campus between August 2022 and May 2025. A total of 126 patients diagnosed with resistant hypertension complicated with anxiety and depression who met the predefined inclusion criteria were enrolled. Based on whether the psycho-cardiology model-related assessment and psychological and behavioural management were systematically documented in their medical records, the patients were divided into a psycho-cardiology group (n = 63) and a regular group (n = 63). Changes in anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and blood pressure level were compared between the two groups during the follow-up period.

Results: At the end of follow-up, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores of the psychocardiology group were significantly lower than those of the regular group (p < 0.05); Reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were greater in the psycho-cardiology group than in the regular group (p < 0.05). 

Conclusions: In the long-term management of patients with resistant hypertension and anxiety and depression, the psycho-cardiology model combined with psychological and behavioural management was associated with milder negative emotions, better sleep status, improved autonomic function and more stable blood pressure profiles in this retrospective cohort.