Stress Management for High Blood Pressure

The purpose of this research study is to examine the efficacy of two stress management interventions in reducing blood pressure (BP) in patients who have prehypertension (BP between 120/80 and 139/89). It is expected that participants will be better able to control their BP through reducing stress and increasing healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Unmedicated high blood pressure (SBP of 120-139 or DBP of 80-89)
• BMI in the range of 19-40
• Interest in attempting to control blood pressure through lifestyle modification

Exclusion Criteria:

• pacemakers
• uncontrolled hypertension (SBP≥140 or DBP≥90)
• atrial fibrillation
• myocardial infarction (MI)
• percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
• coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) within 6 months of enrollment
• congestive heart failure
• uncorrected primary valvular disease hypertrophic or restrictive cardiomyopathy
• uncorrected thyroid heart disease
• chronic kidney disease
• persistent tachyarrhythmia
• JNC risk category C (target organ damage, diabetes)
• patients who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant within 9 months
• patients who are lactating
• patients unable to comply with assessment procedures
• patients with alcohol or drug abuse within 12 months
• patients who consume more than 21 alcoholic drinks per week
• patients who are current smokers
• patients who are unable to provide informed consent or who have dementia
• patients with previous extensive meditation or yoga training
• patients with blood pressure ≥140/90