• Back to health benefits _
• ADHD _
• Anxiety _
• Blood pressure _
• Cardiovascular disease _
• Childhood and adolescent disorders _
• Cholesterol _
• Congestive heart failure _
• Depression (adult) _
• Depression (adolescent) _
• Diabetes _
• Epilepsy _
• Insomnia _
• Memory _
• Menopause symptoms _
• Mental disabilities _
• Obesity _
• Stroke _
• Stress syndrome _
• Smoking cigarettes _
• Substance abuse (adolescent) _

How stress damages the heart
Psychological stress has been shown to
increase activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. This increased activation releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol, which lead to faster heart rate, increased cardiac output, and narrower arteries. These changes, in turn, create increased blood pressure. Activation of these systems also accelerates the progress of atherosclerosis and can lead to acute plaque rupture, which results in ischemia of the heart (angina) and coronary heart disease and stroke.

How the Transcendental Meditation technique promotes a healthy heart
The twice-daily practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique reduces activation of the sympathetic nervous system—which, in turn, dilates the blood vessels and reduces stress hormones, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. Published research confirms that the TM technique: Reduces high blood pressure • Reduces atherosclerosis • Reduces constriction of blood vessels • Reduces thickening of coronary arteries • Reduces use of antihypertensive medication • Reduces mortality rates.