The influence of blood pressure levels in a cognitive-behavioral programme for reducing stress and life habits in hypertensión patients

The effect of blood pressure (BP) levels on a program which combines educative actions in order to improve health behaviors related to hypertension, and cognitive-behavioral techniques for reducing stress and enhancing treatment compliance of hypertension patients is evaluated. 80 patients from the Hypertension Unit of the 12-de-Octubre Hospital (Madrid) divided into two groups (treatment and control groups) participated in the study. The effectiveness of the whole program as well as the module of stress control separately was evaluated over BP and other parameters: knowledge about the illness, pharmacological and diet compliance, level of anxiety and stress, and quality of life. Results show a better BP control after the treatment as well as an enhancement of the hygienic-diet compliance. There is also a decrease of anxiety and stress, and an increase of the knowledge about the illness. Nevertheless, there are no changes in physical exercise compliance nor in quality of life.