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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #13735
2 days ago
15

yoga for heart disease - #13735

Aradhya

I am pretty worried because my dad got diagnosed with heart disease a few months ago. He had some chest pains and after a bunch of tests, the doc said he needs to change his lifestyle. I mean, it's really hard to watch him struggle with this. His diet's changed a lot, but I was thinking — what about yoga for heart disease? I heard it can help reduce stress and improve blood circulation, but like, does it actually work? He’s not super active and isn't really into working out, but he used to be flexible when he tried yoga a long time back. Sometimes he doubts if yoga for heart disease is an actual good option or not? I just feel like getting him into some kind of routine might help him feel better mentally too. I read about some studies but I wanna know if anyone here has experienced using yoga for heart disease themselves or knows someone who did. Can you really see physical improvements? And like, are there specific poses or types of yoga that would be better? Just feel so lost with this whole health stuff and hoping to get him into something he might actually enjoy. Any insight would mean a lot!

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Doctors’ responses

Yoga can indeed be beneficial for individuals with heart disease, aligning with an overall heart-healthy lifestyle. While it’s important to emphasize that yoga isn’t a cure for heart disease, it can complement traditional treatment by contributing to stress reduction, improved flexibility, and supporting cardiovascular health. Research suggests that yoga can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and improve blood circulation, all of which can benefit heart health. There are various styles of yoga, but starting with a gentle form like Hatha or restorative yoga could be more manageable for your dad, especially if he hasn’t been active lately. These styles focus on gentle poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation, which might be appealing given his previous experience with flexibility. Specific poses beneficial for heart health include the Tree pose, Mountain pose, and Corpse pose, due to their reported effects on calming the mind and improving overall posture. Before starting any exercise regimen, it’s crucial to consult with his healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe and tailored to his current condition. Regular yoga practice, combined with dietary changes, medication, if prescribed, and regular medical checkups, forms a holistic approach to managing heart disease. Moreover, consider seeking out a yoga instructor with experience in working with people with health conditions, as they can modify poses to suit his needs and abilities, ensuring he practices safely. Making yoga a routine part of his regimen may also enhance his mental well-being, providing a sense of mindfulness and relaxation during this stressful time. If he’s open to it, try this gradual integration of yoga into his schedule, monitoring how his body responds and adjusting as necessary, always under medical guidance.

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