LETTER IN THE NEW YORK TIMES 5/19/03

     You report that millions of people who in the past would have been told that their pressure was normal or "high normal" should now be told that they actually have a condition called prehypertension that threatens their health.

     There is a powerful tool to prevent and treat high blood pressure without cost or side effects: stress management.

     A few deep breaths, muscle relaxation, visualization, mediatation, yoga, and cognitive techniques are effective whether used along with medication and lifestyle changes or alone.

     Since blood pressure is increased by stress, there is nothing to lose and much to gain by trying stress management.

Carol Goldberg

The writer is a clinical psychologist.