Trial of relaxation in reducing coronary risk: four year follow up.

192 men and women aged 35-64 with two or more of the following risk factors: blood pressure >= 140/90 mm Hg, plasma cholesterol >= 6.3 mmol/l (243.6 mg/100 ml), and current smoking >= 10 cigarettes a day.

Group sessions of one hour a week for eight weeks teaching breathing exercises, relaxation, meditation, and stress management, in addition to health education leaflets (advice to stop smoking, reduce animal fats, and reduce blood pressure).

Control group receiving only health education leaflets (advice to stop smoking, reduce animal fats, and reduce blood pressure).

Reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and incidence of ischaemic heart disease, fatal myocardial infarction, or electrocardiographic evidence of ischaemia at four years follow up.hard clinical