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brisk walking.  However, not all studies have found simi- lar results.  No studies have specifically examined tai chi in the prevention of CHD, but as previously mentioned, light exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of CHD over a sedentary lifestyle (89). Qi Gong (pronounced chee gong) also involves move- ments and deep breathing exercises.  It too was devel- oped in ancient China and has become increasingly popular in the United States. The qi is a person's vital energy, which circulates within the body in small channels known as meridi- ans.  Qi Gong is intended to channel that energy and pro- mote health.  While limited research is available in the United States.  A twenty- year study completed in China in 1993 found lowered blood pressure and a 50% decrease in death and ill- ness from stroke in persons utilizing Qi Gong.(97)  No specific research is available on Qi Gong in the preven- tion of CHD, however the regular physical activity along with stress relief appears ideally suited for the person at risk for CHD.   MIND/BODY If healing literally means "to make whole," the body one of them. Researchers suggest that the risks associated with stressful occupations may be equivalent to other major CHD risk factors (98). Meditation is a critical com- ponent in both the reduction of stress and the recovery from disease.  Meditation has been described as one component to the behavioral approach to CHD (99, 100). cannot truly be healed with- out healing the mind. Ancient Chinese medicine considered the mind and body as comprising the whole self.  However, mod- ern medicine has segregat- ed these entities and focused on scientific meth- ods, which provide targeted therapies to the body, with- out examining the necessary "wellness" process needed to simultaneously treat the mind-the Mind/Body connec- tion.  For example, in cardio- vascular disease, medica- tions are provided to lower a person's elevated blood pressure.  These medica- tions certainly do not relieve stressors or spiritual con- cerns which may be con- tributing to, or inhibiting, the healing process. Mind/Body therapies actually include a wide array of modalities which all center around the connection in healing between the mind and body.  Extensive research has been per- formed in many of these areas: * Meditation and relaxation are invaluable to the person with CHD. These individuals are frequently involved in very stressful lives with little, if any, time to unwind. Emotional stress has clearly been linked to many medical conditions and CHD is just People in high-stress jobs may have 3.8 to 4.8 times as many heart attacks as their counter- parts in low-stress jobs.   Transcendental Meditation was studied in 21 patients with CHD.  After eight months of performing 20 minutes of these relaxation techniques twice a day there was a 15% increase in exercise tolerance (101). A second study was con- ducted of over 1000 patients who had recently suffered a heart attack and were considered to be "type A" personalities (102).  After 3 years, those patients who had adopted a lifestyle

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