Health – High Blood Pressure?

TM has consistently been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure

A recent study conducted at Harvard University found “significant improvements in blood pressure in people with high blood pressure practising TM.”

Further detailed studies show that TM reduces high blood pressure significantly; more so than control groups using Progressive Muscle Relaxation, for example.

How TM promotes a healthy heart

Twice-daily TM practice reduces activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

In turn this dilates the blood vessels and reduces stress hormones, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol.

Published research confirms that regular TM practice:

• Reduces high blood pressure
• Reduces atherosclerosis
• Reduces constriction of blood vessels
• Reduces thickening of coronary arteries
• Reduces use of antihypertensive medication
• Reduces mortality rates

“My blood pressure had decreased significantly”

“A month after regular Transcendental Meditation sessions, I’d given up my 30-a-day smoking habit, without any withdrawal symptoms.

“Five months later, my blood pressure had decreased significantly without any medicine or extra exercise. I was also sleeping better, has fewer asthma attacks, and found my IBS had eased.”

- Sarah-Jane Quick, self-employed, Healthy magazine, September 2007

“I’ve hardly been ill at all”

“I feel a lot clearer, calmer and less stressed – basically I feel a lot happier. It is becoming more and more recognised by the medical world as having benefits.I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has worked for me and I know other people who have had the same experience.”

- Dr. Joseph Cassidy, GP in Barrhead, Glasgow.

Some questions about how TM can help high blood pressure:

Is there evidence that the Transcendental Meditation program alone can lower high blood pressure?

Several studies on both teenagers (American Journal of Hypertension, 2004) and elderly adults (Hypertension, 1999) have demonstrated that high blood pressure is reduced even after a few months of twice-daily practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique.

The need for antihypertensive medication is reduced and sometimes eliminated.

Anyone on medication who starts practicing the TM technique should follow up regularly with their doctor to monitor this positive effect on blood pressure and the need for continued medication.

How does the Transcendental Meditation technique lower blood pressure?

Stress has been implicated in the development of hypertension. This has been documented through a number of different types of blood pressure studies.

During TM your mind experiences mental relaxation and peacefulness. This happens quickly, with clear-cut effects after a few minutes of practice.

This mental relaxation elicits physical relaxation; in other words, when the mind settles down, the body gains deep rest.

Does the Transcendental Meditation technique work for everyone?

Transcendental Meditation works for everyone and generally it works from the first sitting, but it may take some time before the benefits are seen.

You have to do it regularly for it to work, but the evidence is there that TM reduces the indicators of stress which are associated with high blood pressure and are also a risk factor for heart disease.

Therefore practicing Transcendental Meditation twice a day can reduce blood pressure.

How long is it necessary to meditate before you can see benefits on blood pressure?

The benefits can be immediate, but since every person is different it is not possible to predict exactly how soon blood pressure will drop.

In most cases, the research has shown that within 1-2 months there is a significant drop in blood pressure if it has been too high.

Is there a time when the patient can stop with the medication?

That should be decided by your doctor according to certain criteria; when, for instance, your blood pressure has reached normal levels on at least three consecutive occasions.

Patients should not decide for themselves when to stop medication.

Email michael@tm-city.com or ring 0845 226 9321 to come to a free, introductory talk.