Robert Schneider, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.B.M.R., is a specialist in hypertension and preventive medicine who has been awarded more than $20 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his pioneering research on natural approaches to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Schneider is the principal author of Total Heart Health (Basic Health Publications, 2006) and author or co-author of more than 100 medical research articles. He and his work have been featured in more than 1,000 media reports, including CNN Headline News, The New York Times, Newsweek, the Discovery Channel and Time magazine.
Physician Resume
Dr. Schneider: It’s true that atherosclerosis is caused by a variety of risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance. In addition there are underlying biochemical imbalances due to free radicals or oxidative stress. Research has shown that chronic stress contributes to the development and progression of atherosclerosis directly and by increasing just about every other risk factor for heart disease. The effects of chronic stress are mediated by stress hormones such as cortisol and by the sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline and noradrenalin.
Research on the Transcendental Meditation program has shown that it deceases most of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis [heart disease]—psychological stress, high blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, oxidized lipids, and insulin resistance. At the level of neurohormones, there are reductions in stress hormones and sympathetic nervous system disorders. The neuroendocrine and cardiovascular changes are likely the result of greater orderliness and balance in the central nervous system.
Besides reduction in cardiovascular risk factors, research has shown reductions in narrowing of the arteries (regression of atherosclerosis), reduced hypertrophy of the heart (left ventricular hypertrophy), and reductions in mortality from heart disease and other causes. So this is a well-established sequence of events whereby transcending through the Transcendental Meditation technique leads to greater heart health.
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Dr. Schneider: No, the research showed that subjects who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique experienced a reduction in coronary risk factors without any change in diet or lifestyle. Of course, it’s always best to choose healthy foods for improved health and longevity.
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Dr. Schneider: It’s possible. A couple of studies have reported reduced serum cholesterol as a result of the practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique. As with all medical conditions, it is recommended to follow the advice of your physician or health care provider before changing any prescribed medications or other treatment methods.
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Dr. Schneider: Congestive heart failure, or simply heart failure, is the end result of many forms of heart disease, such as coronary heart disease or hypertensive heart disease. It kills 300,000 people a year in the United States and carries a 50% mortality rate over five years’ time.
Congestive heart failure is very difficult to treat with medicinal drugs or even surgical intervention. However, research on the Transcendental Meditation technique, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, has demonstrated that individuals who are taking conventional treatments for heart failure, and who have added twenty minutes twice a day of Transcendental Meditation practice to their routine, showed significant improvements in measures of heart failure, as indicated by greater functional capacity in the six-minute walk test as compared to health education controls.
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Dr. Schneider: Yes. In the study on congestive heart failure that we have been discussing, the same individuals showed improvement in quality of life and mental health in addition to improvements in physical capacity of heart functioning, as shown by a clinically significant reduction in depression in the Transcendental Meditation practitioners as compared to controls.
This shows that adding an effective mind-body intervention program to usual medical treatment program results in significant improvements in both physical and mental health in patients with heart failure. This is a remarkable medical discovery, and it is very easy to implement on a widespread basis.
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