Health
Spiritual Faith Enhances Health
Deep religious faith does play a role in lowering blood pressure in women, researchers say.
Writing in the Preventive Medicine journal, investigators at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and at the state's Salem College say the religious conviction seems especially significant when it comes to reducing the diastolic measurement of blood pressure.
While other studies have indicated that deep religious faith may play a significant role in helping individuals deal with illnesses, the new findings "are in agreement with the notion that optimal health is a function of all aspects of wellness, including spiritual well-being," study authors say.
The diastolic readings indicate the blood pressure between heartbeats. Women who claimed their faith was a major guidepost for life or had a significant religious experience had the sharpest reductions in diastolic pressure during the study.
Writing in the Preventive Medicine journal, investigators at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and at the state's Salem College say the religious conviction seems especially significant when it comes to reducing the diastolic measurement of blood pressure.
While other studies have indicated that deep religious faith may play a significant role in helping individuals deal with illnesses, the new findings "are in agreement with the notion that optimal health is a function of all aspects of wellness, including spiritual well-being," study authors say.
The diastolic readings indicate the blood pressure between heartbeats. Women who claimed their faith was a major guidepost for life or had a significant religious experience had the sharpest reductions in diastolic pressure during the study.
