Due to faulty lifestyles, the number of people suffering from coronary artery disease is on the rise.
Yoga and Naturopathy life-style intervention have proved to be effective in reversing atherosclerotic obstructions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), according to "Coronary Atherosclerosis Reversal Potential of Yoga Life Style Intervention", a research publication of Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN).
Various factors such as stress, tension, anxiety, lack of exercise and excessive reliance on fast foods are responsible for lifestyle disorders, says the study.
Yoga and Naturopathy, it claims are cost effective, simple and drugless therapies.
Yoga also stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque, decreasing the need for coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty.
In a project conducted by Dr. S C Manchanda, the then Head of the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in collaboration with Adhyatma Sadhna Kendra, 42 male patients in the age-group of 32-72 years with angiographicaly proven coronary artery disease were divided into two groups of 21 patients each with similar baseline characteristics.
One group was given yoga lifestyle intervention and the other group referred to as the control group received conventional medical therapy.
A follow-up angiography of the two groups after a year clearly showed favorable results in the group that received Yoga intervention.
The yoga group consistently showed marked improvement in countering symptoms of angina, whereas the control group showed an overall deterioration.
Moreover, it was revealed that the yoga group consistently improved in psychological status, body weight and cholesterol levels (decreased), while the control group did not show significant alterations in these parameters.
The dosage of anti-anginal and anti-hypertensive medicines was also reduced in many patients of yoga group.
While the coronary angiography after a year showed coronary stenosis progression in control group, it showed regression in some patients of yoga group.
The revascularisation procedure, like bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty was markedly reduced in Yoga group suggesting that atherosclerotic plaque becomes "stable" after yoga intervention.
The study conducted between, 1994-96 concluded that yoga induced favorable effects on angina (chest pain due to oxygen shortage in the heart), body weight and lipid levels and that yoga lifestyle intervention can be carried out in patients with advanced coronary artery disease with high degree of compliance.
Yogic intervention consisted of heath rejuvenating exercises, Kayotsarg - a method of complete relaxation, Pranayama, Asanas, Preksha (seeing deeply) Meditation, stress management, Anurat and Anupreksha (moral principles to guide life), and vegetarian, low fat, high fiber diet. (ANI)