Meditation and breathing-based mind–body practices have been increasingly investigated for their potential to improve cardiovascular and respiratory health through autonomic and mechanical mechanisms. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials, controlled physiological studies, and systematic reviews examining the effects of meditation, mindfulness, pranayama, and integrated yoga interventions on cardio-respiratory parameters. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language studies published. Nineteen studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria were included and grouped thematically into mindfulness and meditation-based programs, breathing and pranayama-focused interventions, and integrated yoga approaches. Across studies, meditation and mindfulness training resulted in significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, improved heart rate variability, and enhanced emotional regulation among both healthy and hypertensive participants. Breathing and pranayama techniques, including slow breathing, Bhrāmarī, and OM chanting, consistently improved forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow rate, while increasing baroreflex sensitivity and parasympathetic activity. Integrated yoga interventions combining postures, breathing, and meditation demonstrated synergistic benefits across cardiovascular and pulmonary domains, reflected by lower resting heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and improved ventilatory efficiency. Collectively, these findings support that meditation and related mind–body techniques can beneficially modulate autonomic and respiratory physiology, offering safe and accessible adjuncts for prevention and rehabilitation in cardiometabolic and pulmonary disorders. However, heterogeneity in study design, small sample sizes, and limited long-term follow-up underscore the need for larger, standardized trials to establish dose–response relationships and sustainability of benefits
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