Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents and Adults through the Transcendental Meditation® Program: A Research Review Update
Current Hypertension Reviews October 1, 2012 Vernon A. Barnes, David W. Orme‐johnson 87 citations
Stress is thought to worsen the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. The Transcendental Meditation technique produces both immediate and long-term reductions in sympathetic nervous system activity and stress reactivity. In adolescents at risk for hypertension, it lowers resting and ambulatory blood pressure, reduces left ventricular mass and cardiovascular reactivity, and improves school behavior. In adults with mild or moderate essential hypertension, it decreases blood pressure and the need for anti-hypertensive medication. It also reduces symptoms of angina and carotid atherosclerosis, lowers cardiovascular risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use, decreases medical care utilization for cardiovascular diseases, and significantly lowers cardiovascular and all-cause illness and death.