Mindfulness Meditation, Anxiety Reduction, and Heart Disease

Anxiety contributes to heart disease, but many still underestimate its threat to women. A mindfulness-based stress reduction program was tested in women with heart disease. After the intervention, the treatment group showed reduced anxiety and improved emotional control, coping styles, and health locus of control compared to a control group. The findings provide initial support for the program's beneficial effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans each year, yet the misperception still exists that cardiovascular disease is not a serious health problem for women. Evidence indicates that anxiety contributes to the development of heart disease. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction program to reduce anxiety in women with heart disease. Anxiety, emotional control, coping styles, and health locus of control were compared in a treatment and control group of women with heart disease. Post-intervention analyses provide initial support for beneficial effects of this program.