Researchers in both India and the United States have begun to conduct controlled, scientific studies of the potential benefits of yoga and meditation for people in good health and for patients with heart disease and other illnesses. As of 2010, the work is still in its early stages, but results published thus far suggest that adoption of a yoga lifestyle -- which includes yoga practice, a heart-healthy diet and a method of reducing stress such as meditation --- appears to offer an effective approach for avoiding and treating some forms of heart disease.
It is too early "to make a sound recommendation in favor of yoga" as an method for preventing and treating heart disease, according to a report compiled by a committee of scientists and physicians led by Dr. John H. K. Vogel. Nevertheless, in their extensive review in the May 2005 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology," the committee cited several studies that suggest yoga can improve fitness and reduce stress, factors known to reduce the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, the group cites research that indicates "yoga may influence the progression and regression of atherosclerosis, and may beneficially alter the lipid profile."
Effect on Blood Pressure
Several studies have reported that yoga is effective at improving physical conditions such as high blood pressure that contribute to heart disease. W. T. Cade and colleagues at the Washington University School of Medicine, for example, compared the effects of supervised yoga practice verses standard care treatment in 60 adults infected with HIV, a population with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In the July 1, 2010 issue of "HIV Medicine," researchers concluded that "yoga is a low-cost, simple to administer, nonpharmacological, popular behavioural intervention that can lower blood pressure in pre-hypertensive HIV-infected adults with mild-moderate CVD [cardiovascular disease] risk factors."
Effect on Cholesterol
A high level of cholesterol is another widely recognized risk factor for developing heart disease. It, too, may be positively affected by yoga. In one study, people practicing yoga experienced "a regular decrease in all lipid parameters except HDL," over a 14-week testing period, according to A. S. Mahajan and colleagues writing in the January-February 1999 issue of the "Indian Heart Journal." They conclude that "the effect of yogic lifestyle on some of the modifiable risk factors could probably explain the preventive and therapeutic beneficial effect observed in coronary artery disease."
Reversing Signs of Atherosclerosis
A more direct beneficial effect of yoga in the treatment of heart disease was provided by S.C Manchanda and colleagues in the July 2000 issue of the "Journal of the Association of Physicians of India." They reported that "a user-friendly program consisting of yoga, control of risk factors, diet control and moderate aerobic exercise," resulted in a significant retardation of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease. Although it is not possible to determine how much yoga by itself contributed to the improvements, it appears that the "yoga lifestyle" practiced by the patients improved their health.
Yoga's Place in Heart Disease Therapy
While there is no scientific evidence that yoga by itself has proven benefits for treating heart disease, there are multiple reports indicating that yoga, combined with lifestyle changes including diet and stress control, can decrease risk factors of heart disease and slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Vogel and coauthors suggest that the potential benefits of treatments like yoga "may be in part due to an undefined psychological impact that might ultimately create a physiological effect." It is safe to say the yoga is likely to provide a valuable adjunct therapy to standard therapies that treat the underlying causes of heart disease. This is even more likely when it is combined with a vegetarian diet and meditation.
References
- Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Integrating Complementary Medicine Into Cardiovascular Medicine
- PubMed: Yoga lifestyle intervention reduces blood pressure in HIV-infected adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors
- PubMed: Lipid profile of coronary risk subjects following yogic lifestyle intervention
- PubMed: Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention
