Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents and Adults through the Transcendental Meditation® Program: A Research Review Update

摘要

The pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases are thought to be exacerbated by stress. Basicnresearch indicates that the Transcendental Meditation® technique produces acute and longitudinal reductions innsympathetic tone and stress reactivity. In adolescents at risk for hypertension, the technique has been found to reducenresting and ambulatory blood pressure, left ventricular mass, cardiovascular reactivity, and to improve school behavior.nResearch on adults with mild or moderate essential hypertension has reported decreased blood pressure and reduced use ofnanti-hypertensive medication. The technique has also been reported to decrease symptoms of angina pectoris and carotidnatherosclerosis, to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, including alcohol and tobacco use, to markedly reduce medical carenutilization for cardiovascular diseases, and to significantly decrease cardiovascular and all-cause morbidity and mortality.nThese findings have important implications for inclusion of the Transcendental Meditation program in efforts to preventnand treat cardiovascular diseases and their clinical consequences.