Nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension: A multiple-risk-factor approach

Authors
Eileen M. Stuart, RN, MS, Margaret Caudill, MD, PhD, Jane Leserman, PhD, Claudia Darrington, BSc, Richard Friedman, PhD, Herbert Benson, MD
Publication
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
1(4):p 1-14
Abstract

Hypertension is one of the leading health problems in the United States. It is commonly accepted that as many as 60 million Americans have hypertension, with the majority (>70%) having mild elevations (diastolic pressure range, 90-104 mm Hg). The treatment of hypertension accounts for more office visits to health care providers and more treatment than any other medical diagnosis. A 1980 National Institutes of Health survey showed that about 2% of visits to health care providers were for the treatment of hypertension. It was also noted that patients with hypertension were more likely (86%) to be treated with medication than were patients with other diseases (63%).

Related Listings
A wakeful hypometabolic physiologic state
Authors
Robert K Wallace, Herbert Benson, Archie F Wilsom
Journal
American Journal of Physiology
·
Mental states can markedly alter physiologic function. Hypermetabolic physiologic states, with an increased oxygen consumption, accompany anticipated stressful situations. Hypometabolic physiologic changes, other than those occurring during sleep and hibernation, are more difficult to produce. The present investigation describes hypometabolic and other physiologic correlates of a specific technique of meditation know as "transcendental meditation". Thirty-six subjects were studied, ea […]
The effects of relaxation response meditation o...
Authors
Laurie Keefer, Edward B Blanchard
Journal
Behavior Research and Therapy
·
In this study, Herbert Benson's (1975) Relaxation Response Meditation program was tested as a possible treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Participants were 16 adults who were matched into pairs based on presence of Axis I disorder, primary IBS symptoms and demographic features and randomized to either a six week meditation condition or a six week wait list symptom monitoring condition. Thirteen participants completed treatment and follow-up. All subjects assigned to the Wai […]
Chronic Stress, Drug Use, and Vulnerability to ...
Authors
Rajita Sinha
Journal
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
·
Stress is a well-known risk factor in the development of addiction and in addiction relapse vulnerability. A series of population-based and epidemiological studies have identified specific stressors and individual-level variables that are predictive of substance use and abuse. Preclinical research also shows that stress exposure enhances drug self-administration and reinstates drug seeking in drug-experienced animals. The deleterious effects of early life stress, child maltreatment, a […]