Hypertension can be caused or aggravated by stress and, for this reason, it is often associated with PTS. Over the last thirty years, a number of studies, including half a dozen funded by the NIH, have shown that the Transcendental Meditation® (TM) technique is effective at reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. In 2013, the American Heart Association published a review of complementary approaches to reducing hypertension. They concluded, based on existing research, that Transcendental Meditation is the only meditation practice that has been shown to lower blood pressure(Hypertension, 61:00, April, 2013).
Changes in Blood Pressure
This study showed that TM® reduced blood pressure significantly more than Education Control (EC) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). More >
Meta-Analysis of Stress Reduction Programs in Patients with High Blood Pressure
This meta-analysis reflects outcomes of all well-designed, randomized controlled studies examining the effects of stress-reduction programs on hypertension published in peer-reviewed journals prior to July 2007. It concludes that TM significantly reduces blood pressure and has greater impact on reducing blood pressure than other relaxation techniques. More >
Reduced Rates of Death, Heart Attack, and Stroke
These results are from an NIH-funded, randomized, controlled trial. This study found a 48% reduction in heart attacks, strokes and death among cardiac patients who learned TM. The 75% of patients who continued to practice TM over the period of the study experienced a 66% reduction in heart attacks, stroke, and death. More >
“There have been lots of studies looking at TM. Without any question it seems to reduce blood pressure as much as many prescription medications. And if I can give you a solution that reduces blood pressure, which is the number one cause of aging, that doesn’t require medication I think we ought to take advantage of it.” —Dr. Mehmet Oz
“Physically, my blood pressure has improved, my headaches have diminished and the anxiety attacks have gone. I have not had the chest pain I used to feel.” —Veteran
