How Yoga Improves Heart Health

Yoga is not just about flexibility and relaxation; it's increasingly recognized as a valuable adjunct therapy to improve and sustain heart health. Recent research, including a study presented in April at the Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), sheds light on how yogic practices can benefit individuals with heart conditions. Let's delve into the key insights from these studies and explore the implications for heart health.

‍

Yoga Can be an Adjunct Treatment for Heart Failure 

Yoga offers significant benefits for cardiovascular health, particularly for patients grappling with heart failure. Heart failure is a form of cardiovascular disease where the heart muscle is either too weak or too stiff to pump properly, often leading to fluid buildup, shortness of breath, and other complications. It affects more than 64 million globally and can have devastating impacts on quality of life, with patients feeling tired and breathless, and being unable to participate in their usual activities. 

‍

However, emerging evidence suggests that yoga, with its focus on breathing, meditation, and relaxation, could provide much-needed relief. The study presented at Heart Failure 2024, which was conducted at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal, India, provided new information about the long-term benefits of mind-body activity for heart failure patients. The study included 85 patients aged 30 to 70, all undergoing cardiac procedures and taking heart failure medications. Patients practicing yoga were supervised initially and then continued with self-administered sessions at home weekly. Assessments at baseline, six months, and one year showed significant improvements in heart function, blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, and symptom burden in the yoga group compared to the control group, according to researchers.

‍

“Patients who practiced yoga on top of taking their medications felt better, were able to do more, and had stronger hearts than those who only took drugs for their heart failure,” said study author Dr. Ajit Singh of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India. “The findings suggest that yoga can be a beneficial complementary therapy in patients with heart failure.”

‍

Unlocking the Potential of Yogic Practices for a Healthy Heart

Beyond this recent study, yogic practices, including breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation exercises, have shown promise in improving heart health by addressing key risk factors such as stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. 

‍

“A large number of studies show that yoga benefits many aspects of cardiovascular health,” says Hugh Calkins, M.D., director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Johns Hopkins. “There’s been a major shift in the last five years or so in the number of cardiologists and other professionals recognizing that these benefits are real.”

‍

Studies have shown improvements in markers for heart disease, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with various heart conditions who practiced yoga. One study has shown that blood measurements and waist circumference—a marker for heart disease—improved in middle-aged adults with metabolic syndrome who practiced yoga for three months. Another study has shown that slow-paced yoga classes twice a week reduced the frequency of atrial fibrillation episodes in patients with that condition. In another report, patients with heart failure who went through an eight-week yoga program showed improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life. They also had lower blood levels of markers for inflammation, which contributes to heart disease. Yoga has even helped groups predisposed to cardiovascular issues, like smokers, decrease their chances of complications.

‍

Undeniably, by incorporating yoga into their routine, individuals can potentially mitigate the physical and emotional stressors associated with heart conditions, paving the way for enhanced well-being and cardiovascular resilience.

‍

Conclusion

As the scientific community delves deeper into the therapeutic potential of yoga, its role in promoting heart health becomes increasingly apparent. From alleviating symptoms of heart failure to mitigating risk factors for cardiovascular disease, yoga offers a holistic approach to wellness. The recent study’s findings reinforce the notion that yoga can complement traditional treatments in the long term. For individuals navigating heart conditions, consulting with healthcare providers and experienced yoga instructors can pave the path towards incorporating yoga into their wellness journey. Ultimately, embracing yoga as part of a comprehensive heart care regimen holds promise for improving outcomes and fostering resilience in the face of cardiovascular challenges.

‍

Sources

Johns Hopkins

News Medical

‍