Autonomic dysfunction

This chapter summarizes the knowledge in the field on the role of stress in hypertension (HTN). Considering the findings that psychosocial stress contributes to development of HTN, it is relevant to consider stress reduction interventions for treatment and prevention of HTN. A variety of stress reduction methods have been proposed to be useful in HTN. The chapter reviews the existing evidence on efficacy of the most common stress reduction approaches for elevated blood pressure (BP), with critical updates on the data. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is another extensively practiced stress reduction program that employs an 8-week structured mindfulness meditation program to ease mental and physical suffering associated with physical, psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders. Since the American Heart Association (AHA) 2013 scientific statement, more randomized controlled trials have been published that assessed the BP-lowering efficacy of MBSR. Meta-analyses published after the 2013 AHA statement have confirmed the efficacy of Transcendental Meditation in reducing BP.