High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, respectively the first and third most common causes of death among Americans.
Stress is considered a major contributor to high blood pressure.
Although the results from some scientific reviews have been promising, expert panels report that the evidence is inconclusive. Stress management involved a combination of autogenic training, thermal biofeedback, cognitive therapy, and anxiety management. After 10 weeks, participants in the wait-list group were subsequently offered the same stress management sessions. Before and after treatment, all participants completed questionnaires that assessed anger levels, stress, anxiety, depression, hostility, and coping styles. Blood pressure was also measured before and after treatment.