Cardiovascular disease prevention and health promotion with the transcendental meditation program and Maharishi consciousness-based health care.
This article summarizes the background, rationale, and clinical research on a traditional system of natural health care that may be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and promotion of health. Results recently reported include reductions in blood pressure, psychosocial stress, surrogate markers for atherosclerotic CVD, and mortality. The randomized clinical trials conducted so far have involved applications to both primary and secondary prevention as well as to health promotion more generally. The results support the applicability of this approach for reducing ethnic health disparities associated with environmental and psychosocial stress. Proposed mechanisms for the effects of this traditional system include enhanced resistance to physiological and psychological stress and improvements in homeostatic and self-repair processes. This system may offer clinical and cost effectiveness advantages for health care, particularly in preventive cardiology.
Schneider
Robert H
RH
Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA. rschneider@mum.edu
Walton
Kenneth G
KG
Salerno
John W
JW
Nidich
Sanford I
SI
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D019122:Meditation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology; D012307:Risk Factors
D028321:Plant Preparations