Vol. 4, Issue 7, Part F (2018)

Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Meditation can have long standing effects on the brain, which provides some biological plausibility for beneficial consequences on the physiological basal state and on cardiovascular risk. Rajyoga meditation of Brahmakumaris has shown overall healthy changes in cardiovascular, metabolic and psychological parameters, decline in absolute percent diameter coronary stenosis and cardiac events in patients of CAD. Hence this study was conducted in the Brahmakumaris centre at Jhanjirimangala, Cuttack from May 2016 to November 2016. 28 males (age 45-55 years) with hypertension, unwilling to take antihypertensives or having adverse effects, were enrolled into the study based on their willingness. Their cardiovascular disease risk factor stratification was done and baseline parameters were recorded. The modifiable risk factors, smoking status and blood pressure, were specifically noted and reevaluated after 6 weeks of Rajyoga practice with minimum 80% adherence. There was clinical reduction of both systolic and diastolic BP in our study. The reduction in diastolic BP is highly significant statistically. There is a highly appreciable decline in smoking status (83.3%).There were no adverse effects. This low cost risk free intervention may be considered as an adjunct to standard guideline directed risk factor reduction for cardiovascular disease.