TM helps lower high blood pressure

LEXINGTON, Ky., March 17 (UPI) -- Transcendental Meditation can help control high blood pressure without the side effects of drugs, a U.S. meta-analysis said.

Lead author Dr. James W. Anderson of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine evaluated nine randomized, controlled trials using Transcendental Meditation as a primary intervention for hypertensive patients.

The meta-analysis, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, found the practice of Transcendental Meditation was associated with approximate reductions of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure.

These findings reinforce an earlier study that found Transcendental Meditation produces a statistically significant reduction in high blood pressure that was not found with other forms of relaxation, meditation, biofeedback or stress management, Anderson said.

"Adding Transcendental Medication is about equivalent to adding a second anti-hypertension agent to one's current regimen only safer and less troublesome," Anderson said in a statement.