According to a definitive new meta-analysis of 107 previous studies on stress reduction programs and high blood pressure, published in the American Journal of Hypertension (Vol. 21, 3: 310-316), the Transcendental Meditation technique was found to produce a statistically significant reduction in high blood pressure—an effect not found with other forms of relaxation, meditation, biofeedback or stress management. 

Significant Reductions in Blood Pressure

The new meta-analysis reviewed randomized, controlled trials published in peer-reviewed scientific journals over the past decades concerning stress reduction and relaxation methods used by participants with high blood pressure. Blood pressure changes through the Transcendental Meditation technique included average reductions of 5.0 points of systolic and 2.8 points of diastolic blood pressure, changes which were statistically significant, according to the review. These changes associated with Transcendental Meditation practice were consistent with other controlled studies showing reductions in cardiovascular risk factors, improved markers of heart disease, and reduced mortality rates among participants in the Transcendental Meditation program. 

Transcendental Meditation “equivalent to adding a second hypertensive agent”

“The magnitude of the changes in blood pressure with the Transcendental Meditation technique are at least as great as the changes found with major changes in diet or exercise that doctors often recommend,” said Dr. James Anderson, principal author of the study. “Yet the Transcendental Meditation technique does not require changes in lifestyle. Thus many patients with mild hypertension or prehypertension may be able to avoid the need to take blood pressure medications—all of which have adverse side effects. Individuals with more severe forms of hypertension may be able to reduce the number or dosages of their BP medications under the guidance of their doctor.”  

Dr. Anderson stated further: “Adding Transcendental Meditation is about equivalent to adding a second hypertensive agent to one’s current regiment, only safer and less troublesome.” 

Reduced Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Anderson added that long-term changes in blood pressure of this magnitude are associated with at least a 15 percent reduction in rates of heart attack and stroke. “This is important to everyone because cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide,” Anderson said. The study’s biostatistician, Maxwell Rainforth, assistant professor of Physiology and Health Statistics at Maharishi University of Management, said the meta-analysis used state-of-the-art statistical methods to review 107 published studies in the field of stress reduction, relaxation and blood pressure. “The twenty-three separate studies included in the final analysis met well-known criteria for high scientific quality. That is, these studies used repeated blood pressure measurements and participants were randomized to either a stress reduction technique or placebo-type control for at least eight weeks. The data we used are all published in peer-reviewed scientific journals,” Rainforth said. 

Side Benefits of TM vs. side effects of drugs

According to Dr. Robert Schneider, director of the Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention and co-author, this rigorously conducted meta-analysis indicates that the Transcendental Meditation technique is distinctively effective compared to other scientifically studied techniques in lowering high blood pressure. “For those 100 million Americans with elevated blood pressure, here is a scientifically documented, yet simple and easy way to lower blood pressure without drugs and harmful side effects. In addition, related studies show an integrated set of positive ’side benefits,’ such as reduced stress, reduced heart disease levels and longer lifespan with this technique to restore balance in the cardiovascular system, mind and body,” Schneider said. 

Overturns a previous study on meditation

The new meta-analysis was co-authored by researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, in Louisville, and at the NIH-funded Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management in Iowa. 

According to Dr. Anderson, the findings of this new study rebut a July 2007 report sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the NIH-National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which concluded that most research on meditation is low quality and found little evidence that any specific stress reduction effectively lowers blood pressure.  

The new meta-analysis identified all high quality meditation studies published through 2006 and rigorously analyzed their results, which the previous government report failed to do. Anderson said the new meta-analysis includes only high quality studies on all available stress reduction interventions. The studies on the Transcendental Meditation technique were conducted at five independent universities and medical institutions, and the majority of them were funded by competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health. 

Certain herbs have been found to be an equally competent substitute of synthetic medications to control blood pressure.  Herbs can even offer permanent cure to abnormal blood pressure.  Certain herbs contain enzymes and triterpine glycosides that are helpful in normal functioning of heart and arteries.  They also inhibit an enzyme that causes cells to clot.  By keeping arteries and heart in good working condition, it controls blood pressure abnormality.  Certain herbs can strengthen the heart, reduces stiffness of the arteries, and reduces cholesterol.  They also increase the liver’s conversion of LDL’s – bad cholesterol into HDL’ s – good cholesterol.  HDL’s do not clog the arteries.

To reduce high blood pressure, it is also important to eat fewer foods rich in sodium.  Processed food account for 80% of the sodium in most diets.  It is best to increase the amount of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the diet.  Garlic also helps lower blood pressure by keeping the arteries clear of cholesterol and potential plaque buildup.  Along with good eating habits, certain herbs help to regulate the heart and blood pressure.  They improve blood circulation and increases heart action without increasing blood pressure.

Complete Natural Blends

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1. Reduce Fat Intake

Most people’s daily calories come from fat. To lower the high blood pressure and get your cholesterol down, it is recommended to get your fat consumption down to 10 percent of calories to reverse heart disease. Get into the habit of checking the labels on processed food, they will fill you in on the fat content.

2. Get Active

Physical activity lowers the high blood pressure. If you are not doing anything, start to do something physical. Just accumulate 30 minutes of activity a day. This need not be marathon running. You can walk, ride an exercise bicycle, work in the garden, or mow the lawn.

3. Up The Antioxidants

High blood pressure is caused, by part, by a shortage of disease-fighting antioxidants in your system. Free radicals, compounds that antioxidants disarm, block your body’s production of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, both of which relax blood vessels to help keep blood pressure down. You can get antioxidants through your diet by eating foods rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, such as carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.

4. Drop Some Pounds

Being overweight can contribute to high blood pressure. A weight loss of just 5 to 10 pounds can actually make blood pressure medication unnecessary in some cases.

5. Add The Potassium

Low potassium intake can also increase blood pressure. Get it from your diet such as fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly bananas and potatoes.

6. Lower Stress

Stress can get your heart pumping and your pressure rising. As stress raises your heart rate and blood pressure, hormones may make the coronary arteries constrict. The combination of reduced blood supply and greater demand for blood can lead to a heart attack.

7. Cut The Salt

As you get older, your system becomes more sensitive to salt and hangs on to it longer. Consuming 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams a day puts you in the low-salt and high-health range. So check those nutrition labels when you shop and look for no-salt or low-salt products.

Review
A fantastic treatment presented in a simple, practical, logical order for the patient and physician as well. — Armand E. Brodeur, M.D., M.R.D., Professor, St. Louis University School of MedicineShould be required reading for everyone, especially those who have a familial history of high blood pressure. — John J. Duncan, M.D., Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas

Review
“A fantastic treatment presented in a simple, practical, logical order for the patient and physician as well. Here is a book that needed to be written.” (Armand E. Brodeur, M.D., M.R.D., Professor, St. Louis University School of Medicine )”Should be required reading for everyone, especially those who have a familial history of high bloo (more…)

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure sounds more complicated that it is. It’s just the pressure the blood gives off while it moves through the arteries. Blood pressure numbers appear as a ratio. For example, take 120/80. If you’re at all familiar with blood pressure, you probably recognize the word systolic, which is represented here by 120. Despite its ominous sound, systolic is just the pressure given off as the heart pumps. The second number, 80, is diastolic. Diastolic is the opposite of systolic. It chronicles the pressure exerted between beats. High blood pressure occurs when these numbers are elevated and there’s excess pressure. 140/90 and up is considered high blood pressure.

How Can I Tell if I Have High Blood Pressure?

A major problem with diagnosing blood pressure is that there are usually few hypertension symptoms. Consequently, around 30% of people who have hypertension don’t know it. This why you must get your blood pressure measured, using validated blood pressure equipment, frequently. Fortunately, doing so is fast and doesn’t hurt. The doctor places an inflatable band over your arm. He or she pumps it up and reads the pressure from a blood pressure meter. It’s entirely possible that you’ve seen blood pressure equipment at your local pharmacist.

Is High Blood Pressure an Issue That I Should Concern Myself With?

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels. Think about water going through a fire hose. If the water pressure is too great, it can harm the hose. This can result in damaging health issues. They include strokes, heart attacks, and harm to the kidneys. High blood pressure can actually result in the end of life! That’s why you need to be not only aware of high blood pressure, but also the causes of it so you can keep your pressure in check.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Stress is one of several high blood pressure causes. Further, as you know, stress is an uninvited guest in the lives of many. In addition, sodium can contribute to hypertension. So can alcohol, and tobacco. Also, excessive weight gain can as well. Unfortunately, many of these high blood pressure causes come together. In other words, the same people who are overweight often also, for example, consume foods high in sodium.

As you can see, high blood pressure causes are legion. In addition, as a result of the harm hypertension can affect in your body, it should be top of mind. So get your blood pressure measured and read further for actions you can take to help lower it.