Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Focused Review for Practicing Clinicians.
Sharon Y Lee, Emily C Gathright, Wen-Chih Wu, Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher
Current cardiology reports March 2, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01846-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Cardiovascular diseases Cardiovascular prevention Mindfulness-based interventions Mindfulness training |
| Key findings | The authors propose that mindfulness-based interventions may affect cardiovascular disease through physiological mechanisms (reduced sympathetic activity, improved vagal control, biological markers), psychological and behavioral mechanisms (reduced distress, improved health behaviors), and cognitive mechanisms (executive function, memory, attention). They summarize existing evidence, identify gaps and limitations in this research, and offer practical recommendations for clinicians advising patients with cardiovascular disease about MBIs. |
Abstract
Purpose of review: With growing scientific and public interest in the health benefits of mindfulness, clinicians increasingly face questions and solicitations for advice from patients about the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this clinician-focused review, we aim to revisit empirical studies on MBIs for CVD with the purpose of informing clinicians' decisions on how to provide recommendations consistent with updated scientific findings to patients interested in MBIs. Recent findings: We start by defining MBIs and identifying the possible physiological, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive mechanisms underlying the potentially positive effects of MBIs for CVD. Potential mechanisms include the reduction of sympathetic nervous system activity, improved vagal control, and biological markers (physiological); psychological distress and cardiovascular health behaviors (psychological and behavioral); and executive function, memory, and attention (cognitive). Then, we summarize the extant evidence to identify gaps and limitations in MBI research for the purpose of informing future directions for cardiovascular and behavioral medicine researchers. We conclude with practical recommendations for clinicians communicating with patients with CVD who are interested in MBIs.
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 5
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Addiction Symptoms: Does Neuroplasticity Play a Role? Brain Sciences March 27, 2024
- Internet-based Brief Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy as an Adjunct to Standard Care After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study Indian Journal of Clinical Cardiology May 31, 2026
- Protocol for a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study of mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia in Black women. Contemporary Clinical Trials November 25, 2025
- Movement-Based Mindfulness vs. Attention Control for Modifying Physiological Risk in Chronic Stroke: Evidence from a Feasibility Trial. Healthcare November 17, 2025
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: A Systematic Review. Neurology International November 20, 2024
Cites 21
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Neural mechanisms of attentional control in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience 2013
and 16 more in the library