How yoga can help with heart disease in men

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in men with almost 1 in 4 deaths per annum in the United States, vigorous exercise to increases your heart rate isn’t the only kind of physical activity that can help prevent or manage heart disease.

As per the American Heart Association "A few studies suggest the mind-body practice may be good for heart health, from reducing blood pressure and cholesterol to lowering stress and body mass index."

One major known benefit of yoga to the heart is its ability to help the body and mind learn to relax. Relaxing is vital especially when it comes to heart disease as emotional stress can cause a momentum of physical effects to ones body, including the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which will then narrow your arteries and increase blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a poor quality of life, or even a fatal heart attack or stroke and possible disability. However, with deep breathing and the mental focus practice of yoga, this can help offset any induced stress and hypertension.

Other than utilizing yoga as a way of reducing stress, practicing yoga may also help with lowering blood pressure, blood cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood, as well as improvement in heart rate. As per John Hopkins Medicine "One study has shown that blood measurements and waist circumference—a marker for heart disease—improved in middle-aged adults with metabolic syndrome who practiced yoga for three months.

Another study has shown that slow-paced yoga classes twice a week reduced the frequency of atrial fibrillation episodes in patients with that condition. In another report, patients with heart failure who went through an eight-week yoga program showed improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life. They also had lower blood levels of markers for inflammation, which contributes to heart disease."

Other factors that can boost yoga benefits and help with reducing your risk and chances of getting heart disease are quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and cholesterol level with medication, knowing your blood pressure, limiting your alcohol consumption, and managing your stress and anxiety by learning other healthy ways to cope.