- Troyer, Emily A;
- Kohn, Jordan N;
- Castillo, Monica Feliz R;
- Lobo, Judith D;
- Sanchez, Yaniel Ramirez;
- Ang, Gavrila;
- Cirilo, Anthony;
- Leal, Juan Andrew;
- Pruitt, Christopher;
- Walker, Amanda L;
- Wilson, Kathleen L;
- Pung, Meredith A;
- Redwine, Laura S;
- Hong, Suzi
COVID-19 pandemic-related traumatic stress (PRTS) symptoms are reported in various populations, but risk factors in older adults with chronic medical conditions, remain understudied. We therefore examined correlates and pre-pandemic predictors of PRTS in older adults with hypertension during COVID-19. Participants in California, aged 61-92 years (n = 95), participated in a pre-pandemic healthy aging trial and later completed a COVID-19 assessment (May to September 2020). Those experiencing ⩾1 PRTS symptom (n = 40), and those without PRTS symptoms (n = 55), were compared. The PRTS+ group had poorer mental and general health and greater impairment in instrumental activities of daily living. Pre-pandemic biomarkers of vascular inflammation did not predict increased odds of PRTS; however, greater pre-pandemic anxiety and female gender did predict PRTS during COVID-19. Our findings highlight PRTS as a threat to healthy aging in older adults with hypertension; targeted approaches are needed to mitigate this burden, particularly for females and those with pre-existing anxiety.