B'More for a Peaceful Motherhood Hypertension Control Study

This study will assess whether an intervention including mindfulness, dietary education, and smoking cessation can help African-American women of childbearing age (age 18-44) with hypertension or high blood pressure to lower their blood pressure. The investigators propose to screen women of childbearing age for hypertension, and to invite women to participate in an intervention to reduce their blood pressure. The investigators will track their perceived stress and their blood pressure levels over the next 6 months. Half of the women who participate will be given a blood pressure cuff and taught to measure their own blood pressure. More frequent tracking of blood pressure will be done in these women.

Chronic and pregnancy-associated hypertension increase risk for poor birth outcomes, including higher rates of low birthweight and preterm birth. Mindfulness interventions, dietary education, and smoking cessation education have all been effectively employed to reduce hypertension, but have infrequently targeted women of childbearing age in community settings. This study will screen African-American women of childbearing age for hypertension, and invite women with hypertension to participate in a seven-session intervention to reduce blood pressure. The investigators will track their perceived stress and their blood pressure levels over the next 6 months. Half of the women who participate will be given a blood pressure cuff and taught to measure their own blood pressure. More frequent tracking of blood pressure will be done in these women.