High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—is the most common chronic condition in Canada and it comes with a hefty price tag. In fact, hypertension is the single most expensive diagnosis nationwide, simply because so many Canadians are living with it.
According to Stats Canada, 23% of women between the ages of 20 and 79 are diagnosed with high blood pressure, with the number being much higher in older women.
Hypertension is one of the leading reasons people end up in the hospital and its impact goes far beyond the heart. Persistently high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of dementia. It can also harm vision, strain the kidneys, and fuel the rise of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes.
If you’ve ever wondered whether meditation could really make a difference for your health, here’s some exciting news: Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) is now officially recommended in the U.S. national guidelines for preventing and treating high blood pressure.
These guidelines, just released by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, are the gold standard used by doctors across the US to care for their patients. And this year, they singled out TM as a safe and effective way to lower blood pressure—right alongside healthy eating, exercise, and medication, when needed. The guidelines state that TM has the strongest, most consistent body of scientific evidence among stress-reducing methods for high blood pressure. Accordingly, it was the only meditation technique singled out for recommendation.
Clinical studies have found that the practice of TM can reduce blood pressure by about 5–7 points in people with hypertension and about 5 points in people without. Even a small reduction in blood pressure can translate into a big reduction in the risk of stroke or heart attack.
And the benefits may go even further. Long-term research has shown that people who practise TM regularly not only lower their blood pressure, but also experience fewer major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Dr. Robert Brook, Chair of the American Heart Association’s committee on alternative approaches to lowering blood pressure, described it as a “landmark acknowledgement” of the strong evidence supporting TM.
Dr. Robert Schneider, who has led several NIH-funded studies on TM, noted that it’s not just about numbers on a blood pressure monitor: “TM may actually help protect against the leading causes of death.”
Taking Care of Your Heart, Naturally
What does this mean for you? If you’re living with high blood pressure—or want to prevent it—you now have a simple, natural tool that’s been proven safe and effective. TM is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and takes only 20 minutes twice a day.
It’s not a replacement for medical care, but it’s a powerful addition to the steps you may already be taking: eating well, staying active, and following your doctor’s advice.
Ready to learn more? Find out how to get started with Transcendental Meditation and discover how this simple technique can support your heart health and overall wellbeing.
Already practise TM? Send this article to friends and family who may benefit from TM.
If you would like a copy of the guidelines email: infocanada@tmpwomen.org