Meditation may do more than relax the mind, according to a recent statement from the American Heart Association that explores the potential benefits of meditation on cardiovascular health.

Published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, this paper included a systematic review of existing data on meditation and cardiovascular risk. The goal was to see whether meditation, which is a safe and low-cost practice, could be useful when it comes to heart disease—the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States.

Based on existing evidence, experts agreed that meditation may promote heart health and reduce cardiovascular risk. For example, studies suggest that meditation may help lower blood pressure, aid in smoking cessation, and reduce mortality risk from heart disease. Studies have also linked meditation to healthier arteries and improved blood flow to the heart.

1. https://www.cardiosmart.org/News-and-Events/07940042279/Meditation-A-Tool-for-Heart-Health

Harvard Medical School concludes that Meditation produces significant heart benefits

2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/meditation-offers-significant-heart-benefits