Title : Impact of meditation on heart: A study among perimenopausal women
Abstract:
Background: Perimenopause is a transitional phase in women characterized by hormonal fluctuations, emotional instability, anxiety, and increased psychological stress. Persistent stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in elevated cortisol secretion, autonomic imbalance, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Meditation has emerged as a simple, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological intervention capable of improving psychological well-being and supporting cardiovascular health through modulation of neuroendocrine and biochemical pathways.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of regular meditation practice on stress levels and its potential implications for cardiac health among perimenopausal women.
Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted among 30 perimenopausal women aged 40–50 years who reported symptoms such as anxiety, emotional stress, and excessive worries.
Baseline stress levels were assessed using a standardized stress analysis questionnaire based on perceived stress parameters. Participants underwent a structured meditation program daily from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for one month. Stress analysis scores were recorded before initiation of meditation and reassessed after one month. The pre- and post-intervention scores were compared to determine the effectiveness of meditation in reducing stress levels. The findings were interpreted in relation to established biochemical mechanisms involving cortisol regulation, autonomic balance, and oxidative stress reduction.
Results: Following one month of regular meditation practice, participants demonstrated a significant reduction in stress analysis scores compared with baseline values. Most participants reported improved emotional stability, reduced anxiety, enhanced relaxation, and better coping ability. The observed reduction in stress levels suggests favorable modulation of stress-related neuroendocrine pathways, which may contribute to improved cardiovascular health among perimenopausal women.
Conclusion: Regular meditation practice significantly reduced perceived stress among perimenopausal women. Given the established association between stress, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk, meditation may serve as an effective complementary strategy for promoting cardiac health and overall well-being during the menopausal transition. Further studies involving larger populations and biochemical markers such as cortisol and oxidative stress parameters are recommended to validate these findings.
Keywords: Meditation, Perimenopause, Stress Analysis, Cardiovascular Health, Women’s Health, Biochemistry
