Transcendental Meditation (TM) is an effective treatment for controlling high blood pressure with the added benefit of bypassing possible side effects and hazards of anti-hypertension drugs, according to a new meta-analysis conducted at the University of Kentucky.

The meta-analysis evaluated nine randomized, controlled trials using TM as a primary intervention for hypertensive patients. Transcendental Meditation was associated with approximate reductions of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure.

The study's lead author, Dr. James W. Anderson, professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, said that blood pressure reductions of this magnitude would be expected to be accompanied by significant reductions in risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—without drug side effects. 

These findings reinforce an earlier study that found TM produces a statistically significant reduction in high blood pressure that was not found with other forms of relaxation, meditation, biofeedback or stress management.

According to Dr. Anderson, adding Transcendental Medication is about equivalent to adding a second antihypertension agent to one's current regimen only safer and less troublesome.

Note: Having high blood pressure increases your chances of developing heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.

Based on these findings, you might want to try TM.

Source:

University of Kentucky (2008, March 15). Meditation Can Lower Blood Pressure, Study Shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 23, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080314130430.htm