Abstract
In this article, we studied how meditation affects the characteristics of the cardiovascular system, mainly based on blood pressure waveforms (BPW). Four parameters derived from BPW include the rising slope (h1/t1), normalized height of T wave (h3/h1), normalized height of V3 valley (h4/h1) and normalized height of D wave (h5/h1), where t1 and hi, i = 1, … ,5 are quantitative features of the BPW waveform pattern. A larger value of h1/t1 reflects better heart ejection ability and aorta compliance. A larger value of h3/h1 may infer an arterial system with good elasticity. The decrease (increase) of h4/h1 parameter indicates the decrease (increase) of peripheral resistance of vessels. A larger value of h5/h1 indicates better artery elasticity and aortic valve function. In comparison with the control group, Zen-meditation practitioners have more after-meditation h1/t1, h3/h1 and h5/h1 increase, with more h4/h1 decrease, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The observation allows us to infer that Zen meditation may effectively improve relevant characteristics of the cardiovascular system.