New Study Shows How to Combat Hypertension without Drugs

Nearly 60 million people have high blood pressure; the numbers are rising

Hypertension is linked to persistent stress - the workplace is the leading source of stress for adults

Significant blood pressure reductions and improved emotional health can be achieved for some people without pharmacological intervention, according to a new study by the Institute of HeartMath. The American Institute of Stress says that the workplace is the leading source of stress for adults, and stress is clearly one of the leading drivers of high blood pressure (HBP). The study examined the impact in hypertensive employees of a workplace stress program designed by HeartMath on blood pressure and emotional health. The results suggest that such interventions can produce a healthier and more productive workforce.

This study is particularly timely in light of the recent Journal of the American Medical Association research that shows a rise in the rates of HBP while other new research is suggesting that "pre-hypertension" what we used to think was a blood pressure still in the high "normall" range -- now affects at least 40 million additional Americans. In the U.S. alone, approximately 58 million people, or one in three adults have HBP.

There is considerable evidence linking persistent stress and how people cope with high blood pressure. HeartMath (/www.heartmath.com), located near Silicon Valley in Boulder Creek, California, is widely known as the only scientifically validated system of stress interventions that can quantifiably boost health and performance of individuals and organizations. In the July 2003 issue of Harvard Business Review, HeartMath presents a case study with an executive from a global oil firm, who is also hypertensive, and by using HeartMath techniques and strategies; he reverses his personal health problems while dramatically improving his work experience and leadership performance.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published the hypertension study, which utilized HeartMath's "Inner Quality Management" program as a workplace stress intervention for a group of hypertensive individuals from a global IT organization. Psychological and work-performance-related parameters were assessed concurrently with BP changes to determine the overall impact of the program on employee's emotional health and workplace effectiveness. The study determined reductions in blood pressure of 10.6 points for systolic and 6.3 points for diastolic pressure. The magnitude of this improvement is significant, equivalent to a forty-pound weight loss, or twice the impact of sodium-restricted diets or exercise regimens.

The subjects in this study not only gained the physiological and risk-reduction benefits of lowered blood pressure, but also demonstrated improvements in their emotional health, stress symptoms, depression, and global psychological distress along with significant increases in peacefulness and positive outlook. The study also showed a clear benefit to the company: the trained employees demonstrated significant increases in the work-related scales of workplace satisfaction and value of contribution.

Most people agree workplace stress has definitely gotten worse. In the June issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology a study showed that men who worked for 25 years or more at a demanding job over which they felt little control had a large increase in blood pressure.

HeartMath experts remind us that the human body doesn't care if it's a big stress or a little one. Whether a new boss or a long line at the copier, the body responds the same way to any emotional stress. They say most people ignore or become resigned to the little irritations and annoyances of daily life; they let stress accumulate and don't notice how it impairs performance until it's too late.

Bruce Cryer, CEO of HeartMath says, "Executives can no longer afford to perceive stress reduction as merely a soft skill if their companies are to remain viable and productive during a time of unprecedented change, uncertainty and transformation. Transforming stress has become as essential a leadership skill as strategy, ethics and fiscal responsibility."

For the past ten years HeartMath has been providing the link between the physical symptoms of stress and workplace effectiveness. Cryer adds, "The programs we provide give organizations the tools and techniques they need to help people improve business performance while effectively managing work and life balance. The organizations we work with benefit through increased productivity, reduced health-care costs, lower absenteeism and improved retention."

Gabriella "Gaby" Boehmer
PR Director
Telephone: (800) 450-9111, Ext. 710 (Toll-Free)
Telephone: (831) 338-8700, Ext. 710 (International)
E-Mail: gboehmer@heartmath.com