Research shows that while conventional treatments can ease some symptoms of heart disease, they cannot reduce the rate of heart attacks. But meditation can. In a meta analysis of 23 previous studies, Professors Linden, Stossel and Maurice found that adding lifestyle changes to standard treatment of cardiac disease reduces the number of deaths from heart attacks by 41% and the chance of heart attacks recurring by 46%.

 Why is that?

As early as 1960s, two cardiologists from San Francisco, Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, showed that there was a link between 'Type A' behavior, such as anger and impatience, and heart disease. After years of research American cardiologist Dr. Crichton demonstrated that heart attacks are primarily caused by psychological reasons. He says a blocked coronary artery does not necessarily lead to a heart attack.

During the Korean War autopsies used to be conducted on the dead soldiers. To their amazement, doctors found that nearly 70% of the dead soldiers had advanced stage of atherosclerosis, i.e. their coronary arteries were heavily blocked. Even 19 year old soldiers were no exceptions. Dr. Crichton raised the question that if blockages in coronary arteries inevitably caused heart attacks, then why did these soldiers die of gun shots and not heart attacks ? The truth is some people have run marathons with their coronary artery 85% blocked; others have died of heart attacks with no blockages whatsoever.

Psychological factors, such as a person's attitude, perspective or view of life, play a major role in every stage of heart disease, from the formation of blocks to the occurrence of heart attacks. In order to restore health, the first thing we need is to embrace a positive attitude and healthy world view lifestyle. And meditation brings about this change.