Yoga has been found to help angina and advanced coronary artery disease, research has revealed. A "yoga intervention" programme was given to 42 male patients between 32 and 72 years old with a history of heart disease.
The group was given an intensive programme involving relaxation, pranayama (breathing exercises), postures, meditation and a low fat vegetarian diet.
Participants were then split into two groups: one set was put on the yoga intervention programme while the other received conventional medical therapy.
While the latter group continued to deteriorate, the yoga group, whose normal medication was reduced in many cases, showed marked improvement in their angina symptoms. Their mental state, body weight and cholesterol levels also improved in many cases.
The results add to a growing weight of scientific evidence of the physical and psychological benefits that yoga practice, combined with a yogic lifestyle, can have.
The study was conducted by Dr Manchanda, head of the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences
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