Research Report: Psychosocial Stress and Hypertension in Young Adults

This report investigates the impact of psychosocial stress on hypertension in young adults aged 30-35. The study examines the link between psychosocial stress and hypertension, exploring the influence of lifestyle, work, and social factors. It includes a literature review of existing research, a detailed methodology section outlining the research approach, data collection methods, and ethical considerations, and a presentation of findings and discussions based on the collected data. The report analyzes the themes related to psychosocial stress, such as work-related stress, social isolation, and economic factors, and their effects on blood pressure. It also reviews government policies and regulations related to hypertension and discusses implications of the findings on practice and recommendations for prevention strategies. The study also acknowledges the limitations and concludes with recommendations for mitigating the impact of psychosocial stress on hypertension and improving public health outcomes.

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Table of contents
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction & Background context...........................................................................................6
1.1 Research aim ..............................................................................................................................8
1.2 Research Objectives....................................................................................................................8
1.3 Research question(s)..................................................................................................................8
1.4 Summary of subsequent chapters .............................................................................................8
Chapter 2: Literature Review.................................................................................................................9
2.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................9
2.1 Hypertension and related issues.................................................................................................9
2.2 Government policies act and regulations.................................................................................10
2.3 Impact of hypertension on healthy life style of people............................................................11
2.4 Risk to avoid..............................................................................................................................11
2.5 Link between psychosocial stress and hypertension................................................................12
2.6 Effects of psychosocial stress on hypertension.........................................................................14
2.7 Summary...................................................................................................................................15
Chapter 3: Methodology......................................................................................................................16
3.0 Introduction..............................................................................................................................16
3.1 Research Philosophy/Theoretical perspectives........................................................................16
3.2 Research Approach...................................................................................................................17
3.3 Data Collection Method ...........................................................................................................17
3.4 Sampling approach...................................................................................................................18
3.5 Analysing and Presenting Data.................................................................................................19
3.6 Reliability and Validity..............................................................................................................19
3.7 Ethical consideration................................................................................................................19
3.8 Limitations ...............................................................................................................................20

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3.9 Research Plan...........................................................................................................................20
3.10 Summary.................................................................................................................................21
Chapter 4: Findings & Discussion.........................................................................................................22
4.0 Introduction..............................................................................................................................22
4.1 Analysis of themes....................................................................................................................22
4.2 Chapter summary ....................................................................................................................32
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations....................................................................................34
5.0 Introduction..............................................................................................................................34
5.1 Conclusion................................................................................................................................34
5.2 Implications of study findings on practice................................................................................35
5.3 Recommendation.....................................................................................................................35
CRITICAL REFLECTION..........................................................................................................................37
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................38
Appendix..............................................................................................................................................41

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ABSTRACT
Aim of study
Hypertension has become the common issue in young adults globally, Number of cases of
hypertension are increasing with the rapid speed. Study discusses psychosocial stress and
impact of hypertension in patients aged between 30-35 years. Aim of research is to explains
link between psychosocial stress and hypertension. Furthermore, it describes various
government policies and legislation to control over the hypertension cases in young adults
Methodology
Researcher uses qualitative and quantitative both technique for analyses the impact of
psychological stress of hypertension in young aged 30-35.
Results
hectic professional schedule they get isolated from social network and this isolation develops
loneliness in their life. These are the main causes due to which stress level is increasing in the
adult's life.
Conclusion
Most of the young adults have knowledge about hypertension but due to hectic life schedule
they have to maintain their blood pressure effectively. They get attracted towards unhealthy
diet such as fast food etc. Such type of food materials enhance cholesterol rate that later on
turn into hypertension disease.

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Acknowledgement
I like to express my sincere gratitude to my professor who has supported me a lot during this
research. Their patience, motivation, enthusiasm have supported me in completing this
dissertation in effective manner. I like to thank my parents for their moral support. I also like
to express my gratitude to my friends and peer group for their support and encouragement.

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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Introduction & Background context
In the recent time, many people are suffering from hypertension. According to American
Heart Association (AHA), hypertension is the issue in which level of blood pressure increases
to unhealthy level that is higher than 130 mmHg. Approx. 85 million people are suffering
from this health problem. Recent report of WHO shows that hypertension has become a
common disease in young adults globally (Hu and et.al., 2015). If the person is suffering
from hypertension for long time, then it may cause coronary artery disease, heart failure,
peripheral vascular disease, vision loss, dementia etc. Primary and secondary are two types of
issues that are related with high blood pressure. About 90% cases are diagnosed are of
primary hypertension (Psychosocial Factors and Risk of HypertensionThe Coronary Artery
Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, 2003). There are various factors that
cause such disease in young adults. Though, it occurs with old age people as well but in the
modern era adults takes their life style, career very seriously that increases chances of
occurring hypertension. Life style is considered as one of the most important component that
causes this illness among young people. In the modern era young people are moving towards
fast food eating. In these types of meals food makers use excess salt, fatty ingredients that
increase fats in the human body that results increase blood pressure level. There are various
kinds of advance technologies that are used by medical professional for examining level of
blood pressure in people. Monitoring blood pressure is the mechanism that is used to detect
hypertension. As per the report of AHA, African Americans mostly suffer from hypertension
or related issues such as heart attack, kidney failure, stroke etc. Now, it has become essential
for the people to do regular check up and take timely treatment of hypertension. Enhancing
awareness of people for the hypertension is the only solution that can support in minimising
death rate of young people aged 30-35 due to hypertension.
Statistical records show that from 1999 to 2009 death rate of people those who are
suffering from this medical problems has been increased by 17%. Records show that out of

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100000 approx (Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Hypertension, 2013). 18.5% people got
died due to hypertension. As per the report of AHA during 2007 death rate of African
American men death rate was 52% whereas death rate of white men was 17%. Ethnic
minority group in western countries are affected by hypertension. Now it has become the
public health burden in the nation. Psychosocial stress impact on the blood pressure that turns
into hypertension after a certain period of time. This stress may be due to personal, social or
economic factors. In the recent time people aged between 30-35 years spend their most of
time at their work (Staneva and et.al., 2015). They have to go through from chronic job
stress. This stress affects health of the people to great extent. Job strain model is considered
as most effective theory that clearly states job demand and job control are two main elements
that increases stress in the life of human being. Imbalance in personal and professional life
also increases tension in the life of the person that affects their health. Social relationships of
the people give them emotional and practical support. But negative of improper relationships
many times create psychological stress in the life of human being (Psychosocial Factors and
Risk of HypertensionThe Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA)
Study, 2003). In the busy working life, individual fails to maintain their personal
relationships. In such conditions, individual becomes isolated from the society after certain
period of time. Social isolation increase stress level that causes cardiovascular diseases in the
person. Isolation is also related with the hypertension risk. Marriage is important part of
human life, if person is not satisfied with their personal married life, then it may negatively
impact on their health and can cause this issue among them. Furthermore, economic factor is
another cause due to which stress level among people gets increased. Psychosocial stress
includes threats of social status, respect, lack of income sources etc. All these threats increase
stress level in the human body. In this condition, body releases stress hormones such as
cortisol, epinephrine that burst energy. These elements later on affect human body to great
extent (Effect of psychological stress on blood pressure increase: a meta-analysis of cohort
studies, 2016). Medical Subject headings (MeSH) has defined that stress is the type of
pathological process in which body fails to respond properly and that affect homeostasis. Due
to increasing stress level, chances of occurring hypertension get increased in young aged 30-
35.
Hypertension has become the most common issue in the recent time, maximum young
people are suffering from stress that leads to hypertension. Due to this medical problem,
death rate of young Americans is increasing. As psychosocial stress is increasing then blood

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pressure also gets increased. Due to this individual fails to response properly in normal
conditions. Many studies have been conducted on the same subject in which it is found that
stress and anxiety are two main elements that leads to hypertension in the human body. This
medical issue affecting life of the person and their psychology as well. It is essential to
minimise such problems and prevent young people from hypertension. That is the main
reason of conducting this study is to prevent people and reducing stress level.
Present research will develop understanding about impact of psychosocial stress of
hypertension in young aged 30-35. Furthermore, study will review previous literatures on the
same subject.
1.1 Research aim
“To understand impact of psychosocial stress of hypertension”
1.2 Research Objectives
 To identify link between psychosocial stress and hypertension
 To investigate effects of psychosocial stress on hypertension
 To recommend optimal prevention strategies
1.3 Research question(s)
 Explain link between psychosocial stress and hypertension?
 Investigate effects of psychosocial stress on hypertension?
 What are the optimal prevention strategies for minimising psychosocial stress of
hypertension in young people?
1.4 Summary of subsequent chapters
Structure of entire study is discussed as below: Chapter 1 Introduction: It would be the first part of the research in which brief
overview of subject will be given. Furthermore, in this chapter rationale and
significance will be described. Chapter 2 Literature Review: This would be second chapter; in this section, scholar
will review articles or literatures of other authors on the same topic. Chapter 3 Research Methodology: It would be next part in which researcher will
describe various methods that are applied to complete this investigation. Chapter 4 Findings and discussion: In this chapter, researcher will analyse the results
and will give findings.

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 Chapter 5 Conclusion and recommendations: This would be the last section in which
entire study will be concluded and scholar will explain own experience during this
research.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.0 Introduction
In this chapter researcher will review literature of other authors on the same subject. It will
help in developing understanding about the subject matter.
2.1 Hypertension and related issues
As per the view of Hu and et.al., (2015) measurement of blood pressure is determined
by identifying amount of blood is passing through vessels in the blood. Over a period of time,
this medical issue has been increased to great extent and now, it has become the global
problem. In the initial phase, individual suffer from headaches, breathing issues, flushing,
chest pain, blood in urine etc. It is essential that person takes immediate treatment whenever
these symptoms occur otherwise, it may cause difficulty for the patients. Schoenthaler and
Rosenthal, (2018) argued that hypertension is the risk which occurs due to consumption of
too much alcohol, living with wrong lifestyle, living with psychosocial stress etc. Millions of
teenagers and adults are suffering from this medical problem. Normal high blood pressure is
considered to be 140/90 mmHg whereas ideal blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg. If blood
pressure reaches beyond to 140/90, it creates issue in blood flow in vessels.
According to Golbidi, Frisbee and Laher, (2015) about 75 million American adults are
suffering from high blood pressure (Effects of Psychological Stress on Hypertension in
Middle-Aged Chinese: A Cross-Sectional Study, 2015). It is the fact which shows that 1 out
of 3 adult is living with hypertension. Approx. cost of the nation due to high blood pressure is
46 billion every year. Previous reports show that 30% deaths of young adults occur due to
hypertension. Johnson and et.al., (2016) stated that age is considered as one of the major
element due to which blood pressure level gets increased. People those who are over 60 years
suffer from hypertension. It is because in this age, arteries of the person become stiffer and

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narrow that creates issue in blood flow. Size and weight of individual is the leading cause that
increases risk of hypertension in young adults age between 30-35. If the person is
heavyweight, then this increases risk of increasing level of blood pressure (Effects of
Psychological Stress on Hypertension in Middle-Aged Chinese: A Cross-Sectional Study,
2015).
As per the view of Lovallo, (2015) consumption of too much alcohol and tobacco is
the main cause of hypertension. Due to using high amount of alcoholic drinks, vessels and
arteries of the human fail to perform their work properly that impacts on liver and increasing
blood pressure as well. Selection of wrong life style is another cause of poor health. When
person starts eating fast food in excess, then fats get increased in the human body that results
into high blood pressure. Fast food makers use fatty ingredients and excess salt to enhance
flavour of the food (Psychosocial Factors and Risk of HypertensionThe Coronary Artery Risk
Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, 2003). That tastes amazing but it is not
healthy for the body. Rosengren and et.al., (2015) argued that psychosocial stress is the
leading cause of hypertension in young adults aged 30-35 years. In the modern era, young
people are engaged in their professional life. Increasing workload creates issue in their
personal life as well. When they suffer from heavy workload, then they fail to take care of
their health. Heavy stress is dangerous for the health of person. When individuals in the
stressful situation at that time body releases hormones temporarily that impacts on the blood
pressure level to great extent. In such situation individual fails to behave normally. Anxiety,
depression, isolation are most common issues due to which hypertension gets increased.
Whenever individual faced stressful situations then adrenaline and cortisol hormones released
by the body, these hormones increase heart beats rates and constricting blood vessels. This
enhances level of blood pressure in the human body and individual later on suffer from
hypertension. Isolation from society, poor economic conditions, unhealthy personal
relationship are many causes due to which stress level of the person gets increased. These are
the problems that lead to heart attack, stroke, diabetes, obesity in the persons. Due to high
level of stress arteries gets damaged that leads to heart diseases. This may cause self-
destructive behaviour. Stress and anxiety are the two main factors that contribute to
hypertension. That boosts level of blood pressure (Effect of psychological stress on blood
pressure increase: a meta-analysis of cohort studies, 2016).

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2.2 Government policies act and regulations
As per the view of Rosengren and et.al., (2015) government has made several laws
and regulations in order to improve wellbeing of individuals. Risk of increasing blood
pressure, cholesterol is increasing day by day. Due to this death in the county is increasing
with the rapid speed. In order to control over it authorities have made affordable care act. In
this government is providing health care services to these patients free of cost. It is the care
plan in which government provides free test for blood pressure check up, counselling,
counselling for diet and weight loss etc. Later on this act has created national prevention
strategy and health promotion plans. That has helped in improving life of people of the
country. Lovallo, (2015) stated that American Heart association public policy has been made
in this respect. The main agenda of this policy is to provide support to federal, state and local
authorities. This can help them in providing quality care services to patients with
hypertension. Furthermore, it provides guidance and direction to medical professions so that
they can perform their duties well. According to Golbidi, Frisbee and Laher, (2015)
hypertension clinical practice guideline 2017 were released by government. In this guideline
authorities provides direction for evaluating and managing the high blood pressure problems
in young adults.
2.3 Impact of hypertension on healthy life style of people
As per the view of Hu and et.al., (2015) hypertension impact on the life style of
human being to great extent. Whenever individual suffer from high blood pressure then in
such condition person fails to perform their daily work effective. High blood pressure reduces
their energy and they get tired soon that demotivate them. According to Rosengren and et.al.,
(2015) high blood pressure rate is bad for adults, individual come in touch with other disease
in such condition. In this condition person may get suffer from high body fat, low energy,
headache. Hypertension in the disease in which immune systems and nervous system fails to
perform their work effectively. That impact on the life style of human being to great extent.
Schoenthaler and Rosenthal, (2018) argued that hypertension does not rally affect
healthy life style. If the person is living with wrong life style or consuming wrong diet food
then it increases fats and blood pressure in the young adults. That later on turn into
hypertension. Due to wrong life style hypertension type of disease occur.

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2.4 Risk to avoid
As per the view of Hu and et.al., (2015) hypertension is the disease that is affecting
life of young adults those are between age 30-35 year. It is essential that person needs to
control over its blood pressure otherwise it may cause risk of heart attack, stroke and other
serious illness. The main risk in human being is that heavyweight. If the person is consuming
fatty foods then weight of the person may get increased. In such condition it may be negative
for the health of the person. In such condition adults are required to avoid this risk and they
have to do regular exercise so that their weight can remain in control. Golbidi, Frisbee and
Laher, (2015) argued that improper diet is the main cause of high blood pressure. When adult
consumes food in which high amount of salt, sodium, fats are present then it creates issues in
their body. To avoid this risk patients with hypertension are required to eat healthy diet such
as vegetables, fruits. They have to take care that they eat such material that have limited
calories and that are rich of potassium. By this way risk of hypertension can be avoided.
According to Schoenthaler and Rosenthal, (2018) hypertension is the serious illness, it
also develops many other disease in human body. In such condition individual is required to
use limited alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are dangerous for the health, it may destroy internal
organs of the person. Apart from this they need to monitor their blood pressure time to time.
This can support them in avoiding risk of death.
2.5 Link between psychosocial stress and hypertension
According to Younge and et.al., (2015) psychological stress is related with the
hypertension. Stress level gets increased in the human body due to imbalance in personal and
professional life, dissatisfaction in personal life, workload, economic issues etc. In such
stressful conditions, body of the person produces number of hormones. These hormones
enhance level of blood pressure in the human body. These hormones enhance heart beats
rates and narrow down to the blood vessels. In these situations, person fails to react normally
in some conditions (Psychosocial Factors and Risk of HypertensionThe Coronary Artery Risk
Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, 2003). Staneva and et.al., (2015) argued that
there is not direct link between stress and hypertension. Psychosocial stressful situations do
not directly increase level of blood pressure in the human body. It occurs because in such
critical conditions individual start drinking alcohol. These alcoholic drinks enhance risk in
the body and develop long term high blood pressure conditions in the human being. Alcohol
and smoke are injurious to health. When person consumes such type of items regularly, then