What Are Yoga and Cardiovascular Disease?
Yoga is a mind-body exercise that includes yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation and promotes overall health through its deep relaxation action. The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart and blood vessels. Problems arise within the cardiovascular system, including coronary artery disease, endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, etc. Common cardiovascular problems include high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. Though yoga has numerous benefits for the cardiovascular system, including reducing stress, improving blood circulation, lowering heart rate after a heavy workout, and so on, some yoga practice has a worsening effect too. It is necessary to seek advice from specialists before starting a yoga practice.
What Are the Warning Signs and Symptoms To Note While Doing Yoga for Heart Patients?
The following warning signs and symptoms of heart patients should be noted while practicing yoga are
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Any discomfort in the chest region, especially squeezing, pressure, or pain.
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Discomfort in other body regions like arms, back, jaw, or stomach.
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Dyspnoea (breathing difficulty).
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Sweating.
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Gas pains
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Nausea (vomiting sensation).
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Lightheadedness.
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Long-term variations in systolic blood pressure.
If the patients experience any one or all of the above signs and symptoms of cardiovascular events, then they have to stop the practice and relax. If the symptoms do not subside but instead progress, consult the specialists and get an opinion.
What Asanas To Avoid in Heart Patients?
Heart patients should avoid yoga poses that can overload the heart to pump more blood to the body, like inverted poses, and also avoid a few pranayamas that can cause strain, including kapalbhati and bhastrika, if done, breathing should be gentle while doing them. The poses to avoid are
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Chakrasana (Wheel Pose): Chakrasana refers to wheel pose as it may stretch the body and form a semicircle shape during this asana. This pose is mainly performed to improve the spine's flexibility and manage diabetes and respiratory problems with proper breathing technique. This pose can be done by bending backward to attain a semicircle shape, thereby putting heavy pressure on the heart to pump the blood faster from the heart. This pose has to be avoided in heart patients as it exerts heavy pressure on the heart to improve the blood supply.
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Halasana (Plow Pose): This pose helps to reduce stress and also relieves tension in the shoulders and spine. This pose can be done by lying flat on the back and raising the legs till they become perpendicular to the body by inhaling, then continuing to breathe normally by lifting the legs to touch the floor with the support of hands on hips and back. Remain in the same pose for a few seconds and relax. This pose overloads the heart, improving blood supply to the lower part of the body. Hence, this pose is also to be avoided in heart patients.
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Karnapirasana (Ear Closing Pose): This pose helps to regulate blood pressure, improve the backbone’s flexibility, manage asthma patients, and cure ear problems. This pose can be done by lying flat on the floor, lifting the legs perpendicular to the floor by exhaling, and then further lifting the legs till they reach the floor with arms placed straight by facing palms to the floor. Further, raise the legs and bend the knees by covering the ears with them. Hold the same position for a few seconds and relax. It is not advisable to practice with heart patients, as it increases the heart's workload.
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Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand): This pose helps to balance the body on the shoulders by strengthening the arms and shoulders. This pose can be done by lying flat on the floor, lifting the legs perpendicular to the floor, and with the support of arms on the waist, making the legs, back, and waist in one line by stretching the toes. Hold this position for a minute and relax. As this pose makes the heart work against gravity, it is not recommended for heart patients.
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Sirshasana (Headstand): this pose helps in managing headaches, vertigo, and so on. This pose can be done by balancing the body with the head, which is why it is called a headstand pose. It is done only under proper guidance. This pose also makes the heart work against gravity to pump more blood to the lower parts of the body, so it is not recommended for heart patients.
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Viparita Karani (Simple Inverted Pose): This pose can be done by lying flat on the floor and raising the legs with hands on the lower back until the trunk becomes perpendicular to the floor, as it may load the body weight on the shoulders. This pose is not advisable because it makes the heart work harder to improve blood circulation to the lower parts of the body.
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Hot Yoga: As the name suggests, it has to be done under hot and humid conditions. The temperature should not be more than 105 °F. Excessive sweating leads to dehydration, which results in overdrinking on water, which may cause a fluid imbalance in heart patients.
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Pranayamas: Certain pranayamas make the yogis perform forceful exhalations that result in spontaneous pneumothorax, and hence they should be avoided in heart patients.
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Kundalini: This can cause headaches, high blood pressure, and an increased heart rate if practiced without proper guidance.
What Are the Safe Yoga Asanas to Practice in Patients Having Cardiovascular Problems?
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Padangusthasana (Big Toe Pose): It helps improve heart functions, lower blood pressure, and relieve tension in the thigh and claves.
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Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose): This pose helps to stretch the hamstrings and back muscles, expand the chest, open the heart, and improve focus and concentration.
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Forward Bend Pose: This pose helps to improve digestion, manage insulin resistance, and reduce the risk of heart blockage by bending forward in a sitting position with the forehead touching the thigh and hands grasped at the ankles.
Conclusion:
Yoga is the best way to promote overall well-being, but certain yoga asanas should be avoided in heart patients as they may worsen heart conditions by overloading the heart. It is always advisable to seek expert guidance before starting a yoga practice.
