By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL Published May 18, 2006

NEW YORK -- A U.S. study of 5,302 African-Americans found those who participated in religious activities had significantly lower blood pressure.

"Cardiovascular health disparities among African-Americans are widely recognized, and hypertension is the most prominent risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease in African-Americans," said study author Sharon Wyatt of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

"Our findings show that the integration of religion and spirituality -- attending church and praying -- may buffer individuals exposed to stress and delay the deleterious effects of hypertension. These practices can be useful for individuals to incorporate into their daily lives."

Religion and spirituality were assessed with several questionnaires that examined religious activities such as church attendance, watching religious television, private prayer, meditation, integration of religious beliefs into decision-making during times of stress and daily spiritual experiences.

The findings were presented Wednesday in New York at the 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension.

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