The Effect of Mindfulness on Vascular Inflammation in Stable Coronary Disease

Inclusion Criteria9

• Must admit to feeling stressed and/or have PSS score \> 13 (moderate stress)
• Must be willing to complete stress reduction course and imaging sessions with \< 3 missed appointments in last year
• Known clinical cardiovascular disease with prior atherosclerotic myocardial infarction, percutaneous intervention or bypass surgery \> 6 months before entry, or severe coronary calcifications on computed tomography or coronary calcium score \>400
• Stable symptoms without symptomatic heart failure or arrhythmia or planned revascularization
• Maximally tolerated and stable medical regimen for 90 days that does not include a high intensity statin for clinical reasons
• No neurological disease or systemic inflammatory disease/current anti-inflammatory therapy
• No active psychiatric disease/medications or substance abuse (including tobacco smoking or more than moderate alcohol) for last 6 months
• No current participation in cardiac rehab or prior participation in stress reduction
• For imaging: no pregnancy, weight \> 300 lbs., metal implants, uncontrolled hyperglycemia, or inability to provide consent or comply