Yoga and meditation in cardiovascular disease.
S C Manchanda, Kushal Madan
Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society September 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-014-0663-9 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Yoga Meditation Transcendental meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Argues that yoga and meditation may control cardiovascular risk factors and reduce events, but larger trials are needed to confirm findings. |
Abstract
Yoga is a holistic mind-body intervention aimed at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Several studies have shown that yoga and/or meditation can control risk factors for cardiovascular disease like hypertension, type II diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity, lipid profile, psychosocial stress and smoking. Some randomized studies suggest that yoga/meditation could retard or even regress early and advanced coronary atherosclerosis. A recent study suggests that transcendental meditation may be extremely useful in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and may reduce cardiovascular events by 48% over a 5-year period. Another small study suggests that yoga may be helpful in prevention of atrial fibrillation. However, most studies have several limitations like lack of adequate controls, small sample size, inconsistencies in baseline and different methodologies, etc. and therefore large trials with improved methodologies are required to confirm these findings. However, in view of the existing knowledge and yoga being a cost-effective technique without side effects, it appears appropriate to incorporate yoga/meditation for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Randomized Trial: A Pilot Study Investigating the Effects of Transcendental Meditation and Yoga Through Retinal Microcirculation in Cardiac Rehabilitation. Journal of Clinical Medicine January 3, 2025
- Meditation as a Path to Inner Calm in the Life of Buddhists Subhasita: Journal of Buddhist and Religious Studies January 31, 2023
- Pranayama: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science for Holistic Well-Being Contemporaneity of English Language and Literature in the Robotized Millennium June 20, 2026
- Amrutha Yoga (Aithal Yoga) as a New Yoga for Healthy Aging and Cognitive Wellness: A Conceptual and Exploratory Research Based Proposal Poornaprajna International Journal of Philosophy & Languages May 31, 2026
- Movement-Based Mindfulness vs. Attention Control for Modifying Physiological Risk in Chronic Stroke: Evidence from a Feasibility Trial. Healthcare November 17, 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 6
- Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation on Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects With Coronary Heart Disease Archives of Internal Medicine June 12, 2006
- Blood Pressure Response to Transcendental Meditation: A Meta-analysis American Journal of Hypertension February 29, 2008
- Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure Journal of Hypertension October 12, 2004
- Brief meditation training induces smoking reduction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences August 20, 2013
- Stress reduction in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: randomized, controlled trial of transcendental meditation and health education in Blacks. Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes November 1, 2012
and 1 more in the library