Durham, N.C. - High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to serious health problems, including strokes, heart disease and kidney disease. In addition to prescription medicines, diet, exercise, quitting smoking and losing weight can all help lower high blood pressure. Many researchers believe that reducing stress may have the same effect. A new study at Duke University Medical Center is looking at whether practicing meditation and relaxation techniques can lower blood pressure by reducing the effects of stress in our daily lives. Dr. James Lane, associate research professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine, heads the "Calm Down" study.

"What we're trying to do in the 'Calm Down' study is to test whether teaching people techniques of meditation and relaxation will help them reduce their stress and lower their blood pressure."

Lane says there's nothing magical or difficult about learning the techniques. And they could play a role in better health.

"Meditation and relaxation are simple and effective techniques that we can teach people in four one-hour classes. We think, though, that the real benefits will come from regular, daily practice, and this is what we try to encourage people to do."