Can Going to Church Lower Blood Pressure?

A study shows that time in church is linked to greater decrease in blood pressure. Though the vicinity of the church is long recognized as a place of peace and meditation, there is little research available regarding its effect on health. This study, which is based in Norway, is the first one to explore the effects of church services to one’s health.

For the study, selected churchgoers belonging to Norwegian State Church had their length of attendance (used as measure of religious activity) and blood pressures (used as a measure of health) measured, and analysis yielded that the longer time people spent in the church, the lower their blood pressure. The participant’s numbers were fairly large, about 120,000 individuals.

The study is the first of its kind in the Scandinavian region. Links between church attendance and improvement of blood pressure has been proven in research studies done in the United States. But considering the cultural and religious diversity of the United States, the US-based study hardly applies to Norway were more than three-fourths of the people belong to a single church (Evangelical Lutheran Church).

The main limit of the study is that it only studied people in a cross-sectional way. Meaning, it is not known whether the participants’ reason to go to church is because they had a medical condition, or whether going to church actually improved their health. But regardless, those who often attended church services are healthier compared to those who don’t. This means that church services have  a good effect on health without regard to religious affiliation nor racial identity.

 

Here is the link for more info: