Yoga Benefits for the Heart Patients
Updated On Nov 24, 2020
The heart is without doubt, the most essential organ of the human body. It is responsible for carrying out the oxygenation and deoxygenation processes which are vital to the life of the human being. Heart problems are caused due to a variety of diseases. People with heart problems usually have a weak heart to begin with, and it becomes necessary to teach them habits that would make their heart healthier. Heart patients greatly benefit by practising yoga. It is regarded as one of the best practices as it is a physical, mental, and spiritual process. It originated in India. It brings the heart rate down and helps in strengthening the muscles of the heart.
Also Read: Tips for a Healthy Heart
Yoga Poses Beneficial for the Heart
If you are a beginner to yoga, it is advised to start slowly. There are multiple yoga positions or Asanas, which are known to help people with heart troubles. They are given below:
- Tadasana or the Mountain pose
- Vrikshasana or the Tree pose
- Utthita Hastapadasana or the posture of extended hands and feet
- Trikonasana or the Triangle pose
- Virabhadrasana or the Warrior pose
- Utkatasana or the Chair pose
- Marjariasana or the Cat’s pose
- Utthita Trikonasana or the Extended triangle pose
- Paschimottanasana or the Seated forward bend posture
- Ardha matsyendrasana also known as the Half spinal twist posture
- Gomukhasana or the Cow face pose
- Setu Bandhasana or the Bridge pose
- Salamba Sarvangasana or the Shoulder stand pose.
How do They Work?
The poses mentioned, provide a great deal of help in strengthening the weak heart of a heart patient. These positions make the patient inhale and exhale carefully, stretching the muscles of the chest and muscles of the back, which open up the chest and the back, which in turn help to make the muscles of the heart strong. The human heart is a muscle and therefore requires exercise to strengthen, just like the other muscles which need different types of exercise. Activity is the only way to make your heart healthier.
Benefits of Yoga
There are multiple benefits of practising yoga, particularly for heart patients. They include:
1. Reduction of Stress: Yoga brings the heartbeat down to the optimal level. It promotes a healthy heartbeat and reduces and even stops any irregularity in the heartbeat. Yoga helps to reduce stress by regulating the heartbeat. It makes the patient feel calm and leads them to feel less stressed than usual. Continued practice of yoga can eliminate stress troubles.
2. Increases Physical Activity & Helps to Strengthen the Body: Regularly doing the yoga poses mentioned above improves the heart and also increases physical activity which makes the body fit and keeps the mind healthy as well. This increased physical activity helps in managing possible heart troubles.
3. Decreases Risk of Heart Problems: Yoga promotes the increase in heart health and helps in repairing the worn-out muscles of the heart, which means that the existing heart conditions can be resolved and the possible forthcoming heart issues can be prevented as well.
4. Boosts Confidence and Improves Sleep: Joining yoga classes may boost the confidence of the heart patient as they need a confidence boost after their recent heart troubles. By being part of a group, they are encouraged to practice well, and when they do, their confidence is significantly increased. Yoga also promotes a healthy sleeping pattern as it calms down the mind.
You May Also Like to Read: How to Spot and Treat a Heart Attack
Conclusion
Yoga is an essential tool for people with existing heart conditions. They must and should practice yoga Asanas with the utmost regularity. This would make them avail all of the mentioned benefits, which would, in turn, make them lead a healthier and problem-free life. It is also in your best interest to get yourself health insurance because heart disorders are expensive to treat and a good treatment surely creates a difference between life and death.
Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
