Transcendental Meditation recommended by American Heart Association

Summary of Policy Statement Issued
by the American Heart Association
 

According to the American Heart Association, the Transcendental Meditation technique is the only meditation practice that has been shown to lower blood pressure. In a report issued on April 22, 2013, the AHA stated: “Because of many negative studies or mixed results and a paucity of available trials, all other meditation techniques (including Mindfulness Based Stress Response) received a ‘Class III, no benefit, Level of Evidence C’ recommendation. Thus, other meditation techniques are not recommended in clinical practice to lower BP at this time.”*

 
The AHA scientific statement also reported the finding that lower blood pressure through Transcendental Meditation practice is associated with substantially reduced rates of death, heart attack and stroke.

The AHA scientific statement concludes that alternative treatments that include the Transcendental Meditation technique are recommended for consideration in treatment plans for all individuals with blood pressure > 120/80 mm Hg.

*Brook RD et al., Beyond Medications and Diet: Alternative Approaches to Lowering Blood Pressure. A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension, 61:00, 2013.

Read more: http://www.tm.org/blog/research/american-heart-association-informs-doctors-tm-lowers-blood-pressure/?leadsource=CRM1333