Heart disease continues to be the number one killer in the United States and has rapidly become one of the major killers in most developing nations.
Although genetic factors contribute to its development, some research shows that 75 to 90 percent of coronary artery disease is caused by “lifestyle” risk factors like:
- high blood pressure
- elevated blood cholesterol
- cigarette smoking
- overweight/obesity
- sedentary lifestyle
- diabetes
Recognizing and modifying these risk factors can save lives.
Psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety, anger and social isolation also appear to play a role in the development of heart disease. In fact, 10 to 25 percent of “unexplained” heart disease may be partially attributed to psychosocial risk factors, demonstrating the power of the mind-body connection and lending credibility to the ancient wisdom that we are more than our bodies.
Identification and alleviation of these conditions may not only decrease the incidence of heart disease and its ramifications, but also promote overall well-being. This is where yoga and meditation come in.
Yoga is often viewed as a popular fitness activity designed to improve strength, vitality and flexibility through challenging exercises. In reality, these exercises are just one component of yoga. Derived from the Sanskrit root, (yuj = union) yoga is a comprehensive science that strives for union or joining of the mind, body and spirit in awareness. The central and dominant practice of yoga is meditation, which is the systematic process of allowing the mind to become still for specific periods of time each day.
By incorporating meditation, the main benefits of yoga can be experienced “off the mat” in how one handles the everyday stresses in life, and cultivates the ability to experience deep contentment, peace and joy even amidst chaos.
There are far-reaching benefits that come from a still mind as gleaned over the last few decades. Hundreds of studies have examined the effects of yoga and meditation on heart disease, repeatedly demonstrating significant improvements in not only conventional risk factors, but also in symptoms of heart disease, reduced need for cardioprotective medications and in the decreased rate of progression of atherosclerosis, the systemic process that leads to heart attacks and strokes.
In a study, 201 African-American patients with known coronary heart disease were randomized to a meditation-based program versus standard health education. Patients that meditated regularly cut their risk for death, heart attack and strokes by nearly half over a follow-up period of 5.4 years. How does this happen? MRI studies of long-term meditators show clear differences in the areas of the brain that “light up” compared to non-meditators – these areas correspond to parts of the brain involved in processing emotions, thoughts and most importantly, hormonal activity. Moreover, meditation results in substantial lowering of stress hormones such as cortisol that plays pivotal roles in causing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Indirectly, lowered stress results in a greater ability to give up unhealthy habits such as smoking and food cravings.
Information provided by Kavitha M. Chinnaiyan, M.D., Medical Director, Cardiovascular Imaging Education, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.