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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #11866
45 days ago
92

Yoga for heart attack - #11866

Kabir

I am dealing with this scary situation where my dad had a heart attack a few months ago. He's recovering, thank goodness, but I’m really worried about how to help him long-term. The doctors recommended some lifestyle changes, and I heard about yoga for heart attack recovery, which sounds promising. I've seen videos online of gentle yoga routines, but I'm not sure if that's really safe or effective for someone who's just had a heart attack. Like, can practicing yoga for heart attack help strengthen his heart? I mean, is it too soon for him to start? He gets pretty tired even with just walking, so I don't wanna push him too hard. Also, what kind of yoga would be best? I read some stuff about restorative yoga or maybe even chair yoga? The confusion is real because there’s just so much info out there. Can yoga really lower the risk of another heart attack? I just want to make sure my dad is doing the right things. Anyone ever used yoga for heart attack recovery? What was your experience?

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Doctors’ responses

Yoga can indeed be helpful for heart attack recovery, but it’s important to proceed with caution and consult with your dad’s healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine. In fact, incorporating yoga into his recovery plan can offer benefits like increased flexibility, improved stress management, and even enhancement in blood pressure control. However, given your dad’s current state of post-heart attack recovery and fatigue with simple activities, a tailored approach is most prudent. Restorative yoga or chair yoga may be more suitable as they are gentle and focus on relaxation and breathing techniques, which can help enhance cardiovascular function without placing undue stress on his heart. These formats help promote calmness and teach patience, offering both physical and mental benefits. It’s especially critical to ensure he starts slowly and pays attention to how his body reacts.

Ideally, begin with short sessions under the guidance of a trained yoga instructor who specializes in cardiac rehabilitation to ensure movements are performed safely. Communication with his healthcare team is crucial to identify preferences and restrictions, ensuring the yoga practice aligns well with his overall recovery strategy. Sessions might range from simple seated poses, breathing exercises to gentle stretches that can progressively build his stamina and confidence. While yoga can be an asset in reducing stress and potentially lowering the risk of another cardiac event, it’s one piece of a broader lifestyle change puzzle that includes diet, medication adherence, and regular follow-up with his cardiologist. Make sure to monitor his symptoms closely, and if he experiences chest pain, significant fatigue, or other concerning symptoms, cease the exercise and consult a healthcare professional promptly.

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