Does living a stress-filled life lead to elevated blood pressure? And if so, do strategies to better manage stress effectively lower blood pressure? In this authoritative and comprehensive book, Kevin T. Larkin examines more than a half-century of empirical evidence obtained to test the common assumption that stress is associated with the onset and maintenance of essential hypertension (high blood pressure). While the research confirms that stress does play a role in the exacerbation of essential hypertension, numerous other factors must also be considered, among them obesity, exercise and smoking, as well as demographic, constitutional and psychological concerns. The author discusses the effectiveness of strategies developed to manage stress and thereby lower blood pressure and concludes with suggestions and directions for further study.

Kevin T. Larkin is professor of psychology, director of clinical training, and adjunct professor of behavioural medicine and psychiatry at West Virginia University.

"A unique overview of a variety of issues relevant to stress and hypertension, this book is an excellent sourcebook for teachers and researchers."--Thomas W. Kamarck, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh


--Thomas W. Kamarck