| |
 |
|
| Click to enlarge |
|
|
|
Physiological Effects of Transcendental Meditation
Reduced Atherosclerosis and Increased Artery Size
This landmark study of a randomized clinical
trial in adults showed an actual reversal of heart disease with the practice
of TM. Hypertensive patients practicing TM over 6-9 months, had regression
of atherosclerosis, indicated by a decrease of .098 mm in carotid intima
media thickness (IMT). Controls, following a health education program,
showed a .054 increase in IMT over the same time. The .098 mm decrease
for the TM group (measured by B-mode ultrasound) statistically represents
an 11% decrease in the risk of heart attack, and a 7.5% decrease in risk
of stroke. In addition, many studies have shown a cumulative effect of
TM over time, therefore, it might be expected that over a period of years,
there could be double the reduction in risk.
(Castillo-Richmond A, et al., Effects of stress reduction on carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive African Americans. Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. 2000;31:568-573.)
|
