Influence of Anxiety and Claustrophobia on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate during MRI Scan

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effect of anxiety and claustrophobia on human blood pressure and heart rate during MRI scan.
Methods: Samples of 48 patients who need MRI scan service were chose. A questionnaire and scales were used to evaluate
the patients’ anxiety group and claustrophobia. Blood pressure and heart rate were determined in before and after the
scan in the same circumstances and methods.
Results: The majority of the patients were female. The relation between anxiety scale and gender revealed that majority
of the female have the high anxiety scales (68.57%). Alternatively, the minority of male have high anxiety level (40%). The
relation between anxiety and claustrophobia with the systolic pressure before and after MRI scan, approved a statically
significant difference with t-test=3.007 and, P value <0.05. No significant association was found of diastolic pressure and
heart rate at the same time and circumstances with anxiety levels and claustrophobia.
Conclusion: This study represents significant evidence for an association of high blood pressure with high anxious and
claustrophobic patients, measured before and after the MRI scan. While diastolic blood pressure and heart rate did not
change during MRI exam.