Yoga benefits heart failure patients.
Yoga benefits heart failure patients.
Yoga can improve quality of life and cardio functioning in heart failure patients
Heart failure is a condition that can make everyday activities and exercise challenging. However, a recent study from India suggests that yoga can be a beneficial add-on to standard care, improving quality of life and cardiovascular functioning for patients. Lead study author Ajit Singh, a research scientist at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, explains that yoga combines mind-body techniques, including physical exercises with breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation, to stimulate physical and mental well-being.
The study focused on 75 heart failure patients between the ages of 30 and 70, who had been receiving recommended therapy for six months to a year. These patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 45%, indicating mild to moderate heart dysfunction. The participants were divided into two groups: one received yoga therapy along with guideline-directed medical therapy, while the other group continued with standard medical therapy alone.
The intervention group underwent yoga therapy led by an experienced yoga therapist. The sessions included teachings on breathing, meditation, and relaxation techniques and lasted about 60 minutes. After one week of supervised training at the center, the participants continued practicing yoga at home for at least five days a week for 12 months.
Throughout the study, echocardiographic measures were taken at various follow-up times, and participants completed a quality-of-life questionnaire at enrollment, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks of follow-up. The results showed significant improvements in endurance, strength, balance, symptom stability, and overall quality of life for the yoga group. However, there was no notable improvement in social and environmental health.
“This study proves that the addition of yoga therapy to standard medical management of heart failure leads to an improvement in left ventricular systolic function and quality of life in heart failure patients,” says Singh.
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While this study is promising, it’s important to note that findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with your doctor before starting a yoga routine.
It’s estimated that heart disease is responsible for 1 in every 4 deaths in the United States, highlighting the importance of finding complementary and integrative approaches to improve heart health.
Conclusion
The ancient practice of yoga has shown positive effects in improving the quality of life and cardio functioning of heart failure patients. By combining physical exercises, breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation, yoga provides a holistic approach to managing the condition. The study conducted in India demonstrated significant improvements in endurance, strength, balance, symptom stability, and overall quality of life for patients who incorporated yoga therapy into their treatment plan.
While further research is needed to conclusively establish the effectiveness of yoga in managing heart failure, the results are promising. Yoga may provide additional benefits to standard medical therapy and offer patients a way to actively participate in their own well-being.
As heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, it is essential to explore complementary approaches to improve heart health. Yoga’s mind-body connection offers a unique opportunity for individuals coping with heart failure to enhance not only their physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being.
By consulting with healthcare professionals and incorporating yoga therapy into their treatment plan, heart failure patients may experience an improvement in their overall cardiac function and quality of life.
