Transcendental Meditation May Help Handle Stable Coronary Heart Disease

 
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that transcendental meditation (TM) might reduce insulin resistance in people with a history of coronary heart disease, as well as help lower their blood pressure.

Paul-Labrador's study included 103 people with stable coronary heart disease, among them people who had had a heart attack, heart bypass surgery, coronary catheterization or angioplasty.

The TM group received two 90-minute introductory lectures on TM and up to 90 minutes of personal instruction in the technique. They also took part in a brief interview, three group meetings, and follow-up meetings throughout the study.

Patients in the other group received a similar amount of attention, covering topics that included the impact of stress, diet, and exercise on coronary heart disease.

Compared with patients in this group, those in TM showed greater improvements in three areas: Systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance after an overnight fast, and heart rate variability.

Since the study's participants might not be representative of all people with coronary heart disease, the researchers call for larger studies on the benefits of TM for coronary heart disease.