CBT and blood pressure

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP

CBT stands for Cognitive behavioral therapy.

Is it possible that simply changing the way you think can have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure? 

The research appears to agree that CBT can lower blood pressure.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems (HBP).

Cognitive and behavior therapy can be used as an adjunct to medications to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

In one study, there was a significant reduction from baseline to the second post test assessment, in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels from 134+/-9 to 123+/-8 mmHg and from 87+/-5 to 73+/-6 mmHg, respectively.

We live in a stressed world and it only makes sense that addressing those stressors via...