New Research Highlights Yoga's Impact on Heart Health

Exploring Yoga and Heart Health

A recent study by the American College of Cardiology found that yoga improves the quality of life and cardiovascular function in heart failure patients. Heart failure is a medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body's oxygen and nutrient requirements. Symptoms of heart failure can include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, irregular heartbeat, and breathlessness.

The study looked at 75 patients with heart failure who had undergone a heart procedure in the six months to a year before the study. These included opening blocked arteries, improving blood flow, or receiving medical devices.

• 35 people in the group received both yoga therapy and guideline-directed medical treatment.

• 40 people in the group only continued with standard guideline-directed medical treatment.

The yoga group participated in pranayama, meditation and relaxation practices led by an experienced yoga therapy teacher. They were advised to do the practices 5 times a week for one year.

Participants in the yoga group showed improvements in endurance, strength, balance, symptom stability, and overall quality of life. Researchers also noted improvements in the yoga group's heart health, systolic blood pressure and heart rate compared to patients who were on medication without yoga. 

“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” - Dr. Ajit Singh, PhD

Want to learn more about how yoga, breathing and meditation can improve heart health? Check out this research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology or delve into the suggested yoga for heart health practices below.

Dive Into these Yoga for Heart Health Practices Below

Everyday Morning Practice with Luke Ketterhagen - Start your day well with this steady-paced, well-rounded practice to wake up your body and get your heart pumping.

Morning Brew Pranayama with Jim Bennitt - Explore techniques such as kapalabhati (skull shining breath), nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), and ujjaii pranayama (throat breathing) to oxygenate the blood and stimulate blood flow to the organs.

Radiating Heart Health with Nadia Bey - Experience a relaxing breath-counting meditation followed by a guided visualization to connect with your heart and embrace the emotional qualities of radiant heart health.