Mindfulness and Neural Cardiovascular Control in Humans

Randomized, Active-Control Study to Determine the Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Sympathetic Activity and Arterial Stiffness

This study evaluates the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on sympathetic nerve activity and arterial stiffness. The investigator's central hypothesis is that MBSR will reduce sympathetic activity and arterial stiffness.

This study will recruit male and female subjects with elevated blood pressure who will participate in a randomized, active control study to examine the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on blood pressure, muscle sympathetic nerve activity and arterial stiffness. The study will utilize established techniques for assessing blood pressure patterns (24-hour ambulatory monitoring), peripheral sympathetic activity (microneurography) and vascular stiffness (applanation tonometry) in humans. This study includes a stress management education class for the active control.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Seated systolic blood pressure >119 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >79 mmHg
• Body mass index <30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smokers
• Diabetes
• Pregnant women
• History of autonomic dysfunction
• Cardiovascular medication