Do you have hypertension? If so, scientists have found a way to reduce your blood pressure without making significant changes to your life.
The researchers in this study believe that one name for high blood pressure — hypertension — offers a clue to its treatment. The word hypertension connotes stress. These researchers suggest that lowering stress by using relaxation therapy might be a good prescription.
They followed 220 patients with rather high blood pressure (193/105). They randomized them into two groups: one using drug therapy, the other using drugs plus relaxation therapy.
After eight weeks, those receiving relaxation therapy plus the drugs saw their average blood pressure drop to 133/81. The drug-only group saw their blood pressure drop to 146/84. An impressive 59% of those in the relaxation group obtained good control of their pressure. But only 36% in the drug-only group obtained good control.
In this modern world, we all need to take time and smell the roses. Yoga, meditation, prayer, and self hypnosis are all means to achieve more peace of mind.
Ref: Ranjbar, F., F. Akbarzadeh, et al. Relaxation therapy in the background of standard hypertensive drug treatment is effective in management of moderate to severe essential hypertension, Saudi Med J, 2007; 28(9): 1353-6.