My name is krystall, and I've been recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I know that stress is the culprit. I am 5'2", 120 lbs., and exercise at least 2 times per week. The only unhealthy aspect of my life is the incredible amount of stress that I have. My high blood pressure symptoms started about a month ago, when I would experience chest, neck and head pressure during the day at work. It would go away when the workday was over, but after a week or so the symptoms wouldn't go away at 5:00. I started checking my BP at home with my husband's monitor, and the numbers were scary! I decided to go to the doctor, and they confirmed that it was high. The doctor gave me a two week sample of Benicar, which has been helping me tremendously! What I don't like is that it makes me sleepy all day, and by afternoon I feel dizzy. I don't like taking it, but it is helping my blood pressure. I really do want to try some alternative forms of treatment, because prescription medications scare me a bit. Has anyone tried meditation? I am not really ready to commit to taking this medication every day for the rest of my life, but I want to keep my BP down! I have noticed that I breathe very shallowly when I'm feeling stressed, and that's why I'm thinking that meditation might be helpful.