PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION AMONG ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS

Hypertension in active-duty military personnel is influenced not only by biomedical risk factors but also by operational stressors, mental health conditions, sleep disruption, and military-specific barriers to care. This conference thesis analyzes psychological mechanisms that affect blood pressure control and treatment outcomes in service members with stage I–II hypertension, with particular attention to chronic stress exposure, anxiety and depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia/circadian misalignment, and health behaviors under high-demand conditions. Evidence indicates that combat-related stressors are associated with increased risk of newly reported hypertension, while PTSD-related hyperarousal can exacerbate blood pressure elevation and complicate long-term management. The paper outlines clinically actionable integration strategies: systematic screening for psychological distress, stigma-informed communication, patient-centered shared decision-making, and implementation of brief evidence-based behavioral interventions (e.g., CBT-informed stress management and sleep-focused care) alongside guidelineconcordant antihypertensive therapy. A biopsychosocial approach tailored to the realities of military service can strengthen adherence, improve blood pressure control, and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.