Yoga reduces anxiety and irregular heartbeats, study says

Yoga reduces anxiety and irregular heartbeats, study says

Yoga can dramatically reduce the incidence of irregular heartbeats and decrease anxiety if done regularly, a report in a cardiology conference in New Orleans showed today.

Researchers monitored 49 patients over the course of six months who performed a regular exercise regimen for the first three months, and then yoga at least three times a week for the last three months of the study.

They were asked to attend yoga sessions under the guidance of a certified instructor and also received DVDs about doing yoga exercises at home.

The participants were all diagnosed with an irregular heart beat condition called atrial fibrillation where the heart's electrical conduction goes haywire which causes the heart to contract blood inefficiently.

While considered relatively not life-threatening, atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke by seven times compared to the general population. Patients can feel palpitations, chest pain, weakness or fainting.

During the study, portable gadgets and personal notes were used to monitor for episodes of irregular heartbeat. Participants were asked to log what they felt during the episodes.

The findings showed that yoga "significantly reduced" irregular episodes by roughly 50 percent compared to when the participants performed other exercises.

"It appears yoga has a significant impact on helping patients' heart beat and improves their overall quality of life," said chief author of the study Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, who is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Kansas Hospital.

The participants were also asked to assess feelings of anxiety, mental health, physical function, vitality, social functioning and overall health. Most participants reported feeling less anxious, and more alert, energetic and generally healthier when they did yoga.

Posted by George Daniels on Sunday April 03 2011, 1:16 AM EST. Ref: AFP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0