In a lecture delivered at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Dr. D. Prabhkaran, executive director of the Public Health Foundation of India, discussed the importance of preventive measures in cardiac ailments, which are rising for the population in India. He also stressed that people who have previously suffered heart diseases, such as heart attacks or heart failure, are in need of lifestyle changes including exercise and a healthy diet. One of the exercises he believes will prevail for his patients is yoga. Below are results he found from his study on yoga and cardiovascular health brought to you by the portable cardiac monitoring professionals at ReactDx.
- Dr. Prabhakaran currently has an ongoing clinical trial named “Effects of Yoga-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation (Yoga Care) Programme on Cardiovascular Health – A Clinical Trial,” which is developing across India in 25 centers with an accumulated 4,000 patients enrolled.
- Approximately half of the patients are being treated traditionally without yoga while the other half will receive patient care that includes yoga. Dr. Prabhakaran believes the patients who participate in yoga along with standard care will experience fewer cardiac episodes, a lower death rate, and a better quality of life.
- M. Mala Cunningham, Ph.D., counseling psychologist and founder of Cardiac Yoga, has been using specific yoga exercises for patients suffering from cardiac dysfunction and is pleased with the results. In her studies, she has found that when patients are diagnosed with cardiac disease, they often mentally enter a period of mourning. Yoga increases physical, mental, and emotional well-being, so the patient’s spirits are lifted while the body is exercised.
- Dr. Cunningham believes yoga can help prevent or reverse cardiovascular episodes. Traditional yoga helps lower blood pressure and heart rate, improves lung capacity and respiratory function, enhances circulation and muscle tone, and releases endorphins to make you feel good.
- The slow stretching of muscles during yoga while breathing is controlled is relaxing to participants.
- Patients often notice benefits after one yoga class: their blood pressure levels drop, they feel relaxed, and their muscles are not as tight after one session.
- Although the benefits of yoga are many, it is not paced as a moderate exercise and is not included in the 150 minutes of moderate physical activity adults should have each week. While yoga is not considered a stressful exercise, it is important to talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.
ReactDx wants its patients and physicians to understand the importance of diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle as it pertains to cardiovascular health. Give ReactDx a call at 800-234-3278 (800-23-HEART) to speak with one of our portable cardiac monitoring consultants, and read our blogs for further information on heart health and the latest technology in portable heart rate monitors.
