IMPLEMENTATION OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION IN DECREASING BLOOD PRESSURE AND STRESS LEVELS IN HYPERTENSION PATIENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hypertension is a non-communicable disease experienced by many Indonesians. Lifestyle changes such as regulating diet, regular exercise, and managing stress are ways to prevent complications of hypertension. Managing stress in hypertensive patients is a challenge, as chronic disease and daily, lifelong medication consumption can trigger stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mindfulness meditation on blood pressure and stress levels in hypertensive patients. The study used a one-group pre-post test design. The population consisted of 78 individuals, with a simple random sampling technique yielding a sample size of 46 individuals. The results showed that average systolic blood pressure decreased from 157.04 mmHg to 147.17 mmHg. Average diastolic blood pressure also decreased from 96.57 mmHg to 89.39 mmHg after mindfulness meditation. Stress levels before the intervention were mostly moderate, with 31 respondents (67.4%). Stress levels after the intervention were mostly low, with 30 respondents (65.2%). The results of the Paired Sample t-Test showed significant values ​​for stress levels, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure of 0.003, 0.007, and 0.002, respectively, which are lower than the established significance level (α = 0.05). Therefore, applying mindfulness meditation to hypertensive patients will result in a reduction in stress levels, followed by a linear decrease in blood pressure. Keywords: mindfulness meditation, blood pressure, stress, hypertension