Could your spiritual side hold the key to a healthier heart?
Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
A recent study suggests that nurturing your spiritual side might lead to improved cardiovascular health, including lower blood pressure.
The study, which focused on using smartphone messages to encourage spiritual reflection, found an average decrease of 7 mmHg in systolic blood pressure among participants.
These results could have widespread benefits, particularly considering that around half of Americans have high blood pressure, with 75% of them not having it adequately controlled.
Dr. Maria Emília Teixeira, the lead author of the study, noted the potential longevity benefits of such a reduction in blood pressure, which could lower the risk of heart attack, kidney diseases, stroke, or disability later in life. She highlighted that this reduction is significant and could even surpass the effects of some medications.
While previous studies have hinted at the positive impact of meditation and positive social interactions on cardiovascular health, these were mainly observational. It was challenging for researchers to determine if increased spirituality directly led to better heart health or if individuals with healthier hearts tended to be more spiritual.
This study stands out as one of the first to experimentally test the link between spirituality and heart health. In the study, 100 patients with high blood pressure received either the spirituality intervention or standard treatment. The spirituality intervention aimed to cultivate gratitude, optimism, and forgiveness, without being tied to any specific religion. These components, although found in many religions, also have scientific support.
How the study was conducted
Participants were encouraged to pause and reflect on certain values or contemplate their life's purpose. They were also prompted to express gratitude through short messages.
After 12 weeks, those who underwent the spirituality intervention showed lower blood pressure and improved blood flow.
Dr. Teixeira emphasized the affordability and scalability of this treatment, suggesting it could be easily tested or implemented in various countries.
Previous studies have also associated higher levels of spirituality with being less sedentary, having healthier cholesterol levels, consuming less alcohol, and showing better compliance with medical treatments.
Here’s the exciting part…Dr. Teixeira said the treatment is relatively east to scale up:
“This is absolutely affordable and would be easy to test or implement in different countries.”
Other studies have linked higher levels of spirituality to:
Being less sedentary,
Healthier cholesterol levels.
Lower alcohol consumption.
Better compliance with treatments.
Enough said, once more. Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
The study was recently presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (Teixeira et al., 2024).
