Some studies show that meditation for blood pressure can be effective. Combined with a healthy diet, weight loss, and no cigarette smoking, a person can avoid taking medications to manage his or her blood pressure. At the least, a lot of people who meditate can reduce their blood pressure medication dosages and possibly relieve or eliminate side effects. People currently taking blood pressure medications should not stop taking the drugs, however; discussion with a health professional is necessary to determine a safe treatment option.
Meditation for blood pressure is effective because of the relaxation response, a scientifically proven reaction that results in a compound called nitric oxide forming in the body. This compound lowers blood pressure because it causes blood vessels to open. The vast majority of study participants who attempt to lower their blood pressure with meditation succeed. Some studies are still ongoing, for example, studies on specific high-risk races whom could benefit the most.
The type of meditation for blood pressure proved to cause the relaxation response involves repeating a word or phrase, mentally or vocally, for at least two times per day for a minimum of 20 minutes. This does not mean other meditation techniques cannot cause the relaxation response, only that the relationship between the relaxation response and other types of meditation is unknown. The main problem people have when attempting this meditation method is doing it regularly.
It is not safe to simply drop a medication in favor of using meditation for blood pressure lowering. People considering this route of treatment should first consult with a health professional. In most cases, the patient is evaluated after he or she meditates on a regular basis, and then the medication dosage is reduced if the health professional sees a significant difference in the patient’s statistics. It is important to regularly meditate because blood pressure levels can rise once a person stops. Meditation alone is unlikely to let a person drop blood pressure medication altogether; proper diet, healthy weight loss, and exercise are also key to maintaining blood pressure levels.
Reducing sodium intake, limiting alcoholic beverages, and cutting back on caffeine are other natural ways to lower blood pressure. These methods are proved to have at least some effect. In addition, there are several often touted methods of lowering blood pressure that may not be as reliable. For example, chiropractic services are associated with lowering blood pressure, but many experts are skeptical about its actual helpfulness.
