Reduction of serum cholesterol and blood pressure in hypertensive patients by behaviour modification

Abstract

In a pilot study, 14 pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients were given training in psychophysical relaxation exercises, reinforced by biofeedback instruments, for six weeks. The patients were asked to practise twice a day and also incorporate the exercises into everyday activities. In spite of their unchanged drug schedule, their mean blood pressure (B.P.) was reduced from 170.6/102.5 to 147.9/89.14 (P = < .001) while their mean (+/- S.D.) serum cholesterol level was reduced from 241.6 +/- 39.19 to 217.1 +/- 38.12 mg/100 ml (P = < .001). I believe the possibility of one therapy which can reduce two risk factors at the same time should be explored further in a controlled study.