The benefits of Transcendental Meditation have been shown not only in reducing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, but also in affecting morbidity and mortality related to existing disease.

This study shows the effects of the TM program on patients with existing coronary artery disease. Disease was documented either by angiography, previous myocardial infarction, or both. Patients were randomly assigned to practice stress reduction with the TM technique for a year, or to usual treatment.

When followed-up with treadmill testing one year later, the group practicing the TM technique showed significant improvement. Physiologic changes in their EKG, or ST onset, confirmed that there were physiological changes in the heart indicating reduced myocardial ischemia.