In philosophical and spiritual literature this is called a stepwise process of self realization or KRAMA (stepwise) YOGA. NAMASMARAN (JAP, JAAP, JIKRA, SUMIRAN, and SIMARAN i.e. remembering and reorienting to the true self) is acclaimed to be universally and unconditionally helpful in this process. Apart from the study of physiology, pathophysiology, statistical surveys, clinical studies, experimental work; the verification of this hypothesis is essentially through the practice of NAMASMARAN.

1. HEART
DISEASE
AND
NAMASMARAN
DR
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. About twenty years ago I had sent a working hypothesis (a
guesswork or conjecture) to a medical journal. In that
hypothesis I had suggested stress as a root cause; in essential or
idiopathic hypertension and ischemic heart diseases (apart
from many others). By the use of word “stress” I imply
mismanagement of stress; as stress is universal and ubiquitous.
The hypothesis was rejected as baseless.
Today I wish to reiterate that hypothesis; in this article for free
download; so that everyone can read and decide if it makes
sense or not.
The hypothesis is:
1. The cholesterol, triglycerides and chemicals in blood called
risk factors for ischemic heart disease and blood pressure;
increase due to acute and/or chronic over activity of
sympathetic nervous system; due to acute or chronic stress;
respectively. Hence the root cause of ischemic heart disease
and essential (idiopathic) hypertension; is stress.
2. The root cause of spasms in coronary (heart) blood vessels is
also acute and/or chronic over activity of sympathetic nervous
system; due to acute or chronic stress.
3. The root cause of constriction of the vessels of kidneys
resulting in increase in rennin angiotensisn activity and

3. subsequent increase in blood pressure and is also (in most
cases); often (unnoticed) stress.
4. The root cause of atherosclerosis; is due to the increased
friction and mechanical damage and roughening of the
constricting vessels; especially arterioles. As the constriction is
due to over activity of sympathetic nervous system; the
commonest cause of which is acute and/or chronic stress; the
root cause of atherosclerosis also; in most cases; is stress.
5. It is agreed that some people would be genetically more prone
to stress and subsequent ischemic heart disease and blood
pressure. But that does not disprove or even create a doubt
about the hypothesis of stress as a root cause of bad lipids,
spasms and atherosclerosis and subsequent ischemic heart
disease and essential (idiopathic) hypertension; as these two
are not mutually exclusive.
6. We can apply common sense and reason out; how stress and its
inappropriate management can disturb the metabolic,
endocrine, neuroendocrine, autonomic nervous and central
nervous activities and influence various tissues including heart
vessels and other blood vessels in body.
7. It is important to remember that stress is often subconscious,
during sleep and even during embryonic life and hence goes
unnoticed.

4. 8. In short; the first line preventive as well as healing measure
(treatment) for ischemic heart disease and essential hypertension
(and several other diseases mentioned in my book on Total
Stress Management); is learning and practicing Total Stress
Management.
9. What is Total Stress Management?
It is a process of continuous evolution in cognition, affect and
conation; i.e. perception, feelings and behavior. This is a natural
(but not arbitrary) and accentuated blossoming; from
inaccuracy and inappropriateness to accuracy and
appropriateness; without any regimentalization.
In philosophical and spiritual literature this is called a stepwise
process of self realization or KRAMA (stepwise) YOGA.
NAMASMARAN (JAP, JAAP, JIKRA, SUMIRAN, and
SIMARAN i.e. remembering and reorienting to the true self) is
acclaimed to be universally and unconditionally helpful in this
process. Apart from the study of physiology, pathophysiology,
statistical surveys, clinical studies, experimental work; the
verification of this hypothesis is essentially through the practice
of NAMASMARAN.