Heart failure, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, can be a real downer. It leads to a reduced quality of life and can send healthcare costs skyrocketing. It happens when your heart isnāt pumping blood like it should, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and puffy legs. While doctors and meds are crucial, thereās exciting news: yoga, the age-old practice, might be your secret weapon in improving life with heart failure. In this article, weāre going to dive into how striking a yoga pose can be a game-changer for managing heart failure.
Understanding Heart Failure
Heart failure is a chronic condition where your heart muscle gets weak or damaged, making it less efficient at doing its job ā pumping blood. It can happen due to various reasons, like clogged arteries, high blood pressure, or past heart troubles. The result? Your body doesnāt get enough oxygen and nutrients, and youāre left dealing with symptoms that can range from mild discomfort to downright tough times.
Traditional treatments for heart failure often involve meds, lifestyle changes, and, in more serious cases, surgeries like heart transplants or fancy devices called ventricular assist devices (VADs). But hereās the thing: these treatments sometimes come with side effects and a hefty price tag. Thatās where yoga steps in as a friendly sidekick.
A new study from India finds this ancient practice improves quality of life and cardio functioning.
āOur patients observed improvement in systolic blood pressure and heart rate compared to patients who were on medication without yoga,ā said lead study authorĀ Ajit Singh, a research scientist at Manipal Academy of Higher Education. (Systolic blood pressure is the first number in a blood pressure reading.)
In heart failure, the heart muscle is either too weak or too stiff to pump properly. This can lead to fluid buildup, shortness of breath and other complications.
The Heartwarming Role of Yoga in Heart Failure Management
āYoga is a combination of mind-body techniques, which is a set of physical exercises [asana] with breathing techniques [pranayama], relaxation and meditation that can be effectively used to stimulate physical and mental well-being,ā Singh explained in an American College of Cardiology news release.
Yoga, the ancient practice that combines gentle stretches, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Hereās how it can be a game-changer for you:
Boosted Physical Fitness: Yoga has moves and stretches that can boost your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength without
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