Cardiac autonomic modulation related to prayer may contribute to the reduced cardiovascular mortality associated with religiosity/spirituality

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. During the past few decades, several studies have demonstrated an association between religiosity/spirituality and beneficial effects on mental and physical health. Longitudinal studies have found significant association between regular attendance at religious services and reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Among the several potential pathways of higher religiosity/spirituality, there are biological mechanisms such as decrease the inflammatory cytokines and cortisol levels, enhance of parasympathetic activation and attenuation of sympathetic nervous system activity. Prayer can be a possible mediator of the positive religiosity/spirituality effects in the cardiovascular system. The objective of this article is to review the potential mechanisms by which prayer interferes in the cardiovascular system, and which would explain its influences in cardiac mortality and morbidity. We found that prayer was associated with a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease. Studies have demonstrated that prayer was associated with a parasympathetic activity increase and decrease in the sympathetic nervous system component. In conclusion, prayer had been linked to higher levels of cardiac autonomic, a condition that is associated with a reduced risk of cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiac mortality. Scientific research on the health benefits of prayer should be expanded, aiming to obtain a clearer understanding of the possible positive action of prayer on the cardiovascular system, especially in the cardiac autonomic modulation. Although there is no recommendation of prayer prescription by cardiologists, the pivotal effects of this spiritual practice should be known within the cardiology.

Effect of Salat Activity on Knee Pain, Range of Motion and Muscle Strength After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

“…34 In a recent review, it was reported that parasympathetic activation is high and sympathetic activation is low in religious people, and they also have low cortisol levels. 35 Doufesh et al 3 studied the effect of salat activity on the autonomic nervous system in a study conducted with 30 Muslim men. As a result of the study, the researchers found that salat activity increased the parasympathetic activity and suppressed the sympathetic activity The results of this study revealed that pain sensation decreased in both groups, but this decrease was caused by the PT.…”

Pre-Clinical Study of Immediate Effects of Religious and Non-Religious Mindfulness Practice on Cardiovascular and Cortical Modulation

“…In prayer, a person may gain spiritual support, collaborate with God to solve the problem, and shift their attention to God or religious activities. However, the mechanisms underlying praying in cardiovascular disease is unknown [9]. It is also uncertain if people with a stronger belief in God's power will respond to intervention (e.g., mindful praying) in the same way as those with a weaker belief in God's power.…”