Meditation can cut heart attacks by as much as half
(Daily Telegraph): Transcendental meditation, the relaxation technique made famous by the Beatles, can cut heart attack and stroke death rates by up to 50%, new research has found. The practice, which involves the continual repeating of a mantra, was found to reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol and thickening of the arteries. It is also protects against diabetes. "This is a seminal finding," said Dr Norman Rosenthal of the American government's National Institute of Mental Health. "The prevention of heart attack and stroke and actual lengthening of lifespan by an alternative treatment method is exceedingly rare, if not unprecedented.
“If Transcendental Meditation were a drug conferring so many benefits, it would be a billion-dollar blockbuster."
Stress is a major factor in heart disease and meditation experts say the technique can help control it.
Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin followed 201 men and women with an average age of 59 who suffered from the narrowing of arteries in their hearts for nine years.
Category: Health
