Researchers believe that yoga helps to cope with high blood pressure

Yoga can help reduce blood pressure in people who are at risk of developing hypertension. This is evidenced by the results of a new study.

Risks for patients with hypertension

"Patients with advanced hypertension (a slight increase in blood pressure) will most likely develop hypertension (high blood pressure) if they do not change their lifestyle," says Dr. Ashutosh Anglisch. He is a cardiologist at the Gengaram Hospital in Delhi, India. According to the doctor, any stage of the development of hypertension increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.

Features of the new study

The new study covered 60 people who complained of a slight increase in blood pressure, but otherwise were healthy. Participants were divided into groups: the first practiced yoga, the participants of the second had to change their habits, the third group was a control group. Changes in the lifestyle of the second group included moderate aerobic exercise, healthy eating and refusal of cigarettes. The average age of participants in the control group was 52 years.

Participants in the first group engaged in yoga had an average age of 56 years. They received instructions, and then practiced the exercises themselves at home. This practice included stretching exercises, meditation and breath control one hour a day.

results

Three months later, a group that practiced yoga showed noticeable signs of lowering blood pressure. The control group did not show any changes, according to the researchers.

Arterial pressure is measured by two factors. The upper number is an indicator of the systolic pressure that appears in the arteries at a time when blood moves from the heart to the organs. The lower number is called diastolic. This is an indicator of the pressure between the beats of the heart.

Anglish and his colleagues found that patients in the first group were able to reduce 24-hour and night diastolic blood pressure by 4.5 mm Hg. And the 24-hour average pressure is reduced by 4.9 mm Hg. Art.

"Although the study showed a moderate decrease in blood pressure, clinically this figure is very significant, as a decrease in diastolic pressure by 2 mm Hg. Art. Potentially can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 6%, and stroke and mini-stroke - by 15%, "said Anglish.

"Our research shows that patients who are diagnosed with advanced hypertension should practice yoga at least an hour a day every day. This not only helps prevent hypertension, but also gives patients a sense of well-being that positively affects their overall health, "he added in a news release from the European Cardiology Society.

The results were presented on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the cardiac society of India in Kochi. Studies presented at meetings should be considered preliminary, until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.