A series of studies have shown an association between symptoms of psychological distress and hypertension.

To quantify the link between cardiac anxiety functioning (commonly referred to as cardiophobia), depression and quality of life in hypertensive patients.

To test the hypothesis whether these symptoms of distress are meditated on hypertensive patient's quality of life.

A cross-sectional design was performed. A sample of 160 hypertensive patients (81 men - 79 women, mean age 51 years, SD = 12 ranged 25-77) participated to the present study. The questionnaire included:

1. a) question for the recording of social-demographic characteristics and clinical features,

2. b) The SF-36 Health Survey,

3. c) the Beck Depression Inventory -II, and

4. d) The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire.

Age was differ significantly among the two sexes (t = -2789, p =.006). Linear regression models found that for psychical health cardiac anxiety and depression were fully mediate on levels of quality of life in hypertensive patients after controlling for age, gender and other socio-demographic variables (Beta= -0,36, p=.000, Beta= 0,133, p=.007 respectively). Cardiophobia was the only independent variable that impacts on mental health (Beta= 0, 40, p=.001) after adjustments.

Quality of life is associated with depression and cardiophobia in the case of hypertension. Therefore health care providers should consider the close linear association between psychological distress and quality of life in their continuing care of their patients.