Yoga can Lower Risk of Heart Disease: Study

Heart benefits of Yoga have now been confirmed by a study, which found that the ancient exercise form can combat heart disease risk factors like hypertension and high cholesterol levels.

According to BBC, researchers in Netherlands reviewed 37 studies involving nearly 3,000 people to find that Yoga can substantially lower risk factors when compared to no exercise. Though most forms of Yoga are not strenuous, the study found that they had significant benefits.

"Based on the results of this review, weak recommendations can be made for the ancillary use of yoga for patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure, and cardiac dysrhythmia at this point," researchers wrote.

The reasons behind the findings could not be explained but researchers feel that the calming effect Yoga has could contribute to lowering stress and subsequent risks, Daily Mail reported. Yoga could be ideal for those who are unable to perform conventional workouts but want to cut down risk of heart diseases.

"This finding is significant as individuals who cannot or prefer not to perform traditional aerobic exercise might still achieve similar benefits in [cardiovascular] risk reduction," Fox News quoted researchers.

The new review also showed that those who practised Yoga lost around 2.32 kg and cut their cholesterol levels by 18.48 mg/dl besides lowering heart rates. Compared to people who do not do any form of exercise, those who performed Yoga enjoyed better overall health.

Heart disease kills over 300,000 people in US and 70,000 people in UK, most victims being women. The UK government had recommended a weekly minimum 150 minute workout for heart and lungs to combat the country's declining heart health.