The Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Science News,  Sept 16, 2006  

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THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL GUIDE TO LOWERING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

AGGIE CASEY, HERBERT BENSON, AND BRIAN O'NEILL

One of the most prevalent and dangerous medical conditions is hypertension. High blood pressure has long been known as the "silent killer" because it can show no symptoms while befalling even people who seem quite healthy. With O'Neill's help, Casey, a registered nurse and an associate in medicine at Harvard Medical school, and Benson, president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard, present this guide for managing hypertension. They cover the basics of blood pressure, defining what qualifies as hypertension and explaining what the numbers in a typical blood pressure reading mean. They detail why hypertension develops and describe both the risk factors that can't be changed, such as gender and age, and the ones that can, such as smoking, obesity, and excessive salt intake. They review how managing chronic stress and eating a proper diet can lower blood pressure. They include tips for incorporating exercise into the daily routine and advise when medication may be necessary. Appendixes outline relaxation techniques and heart-healthy recipes. McGraw Hill, 2006, 187 p., b&w illus., paperback, $14.95.

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