A new study published in The Canadian Journal of Cardiology, demonstrated the health benefits of adding yoga to routine exercise schedule followed by patients with hypertension. The study confirmed that the overall effect of yoga on cardiovascular health and wellbeing was better than stretching exercises. Yoga not only reduced systolic blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate but also reduced 10-year cardiovascular risk. This study provided an additional insight into the fact that benefits of yoga in hypertensive patients is not limited to stretching alone.
A 3-month pilot study recruited patients with hypertension (n = 60; BP ≥140/90 mmHg for 3 measurements on different days) and metabolic syndrome for an exercise training program. Along with 30 minutes of aerobic exercise training, participants were randomised into two groups and were asked to perform either yoga or stretching (control) exercises for 15 minutes, 5 times a week for 3 months. Cardiovascular parameters such as BP and heart rate, anthropometry, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glucose and lipids levels, and the Framingham and Reynolds Risk Scores were measured after 3 months.
Participants practicing yoga showed greater reduction in blood pressure and resting heart rate (p <0.001) compared with those doing stretching in addition to aerobic exercise training. Furthermore, a greater decrease in 10-year cardiovascular risk was observed with yoga, as reflected by reduction in the Reynolds Risk Score (p <0.05; see the graph below). Both yoga and stretching exercises resulted in decreased levels of lipids, glucose, and hs-CRP and Framingham Risk Score, which are crucial for cardiovascular health in hypertensive individuals.
Clinical implications: Addition of non-pharmacological regimen in the setting of a primary prevention exercise program might help in cardiovascular disease risk reduction among high-risk patients. Structured yoga practices as an addition to aerobic exercise might offer additional cardiovascular benefits to hypertensive patients than muscle stretching.
(Reference: Pandey A, Pandey A, Pandey AS, Bonsignore A, Auclair A, Poirier P. Impact of yoga on global cardiovascular risk as an add-on to a regular exercise regimen in patients with hypertension. Can J Cardiol. 2023;39(1):57-62).