Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention.
BACKGROUND
Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with coronary artery disease though objective, angiographic studies are lacking.


METHODS
We evaluated possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga, on retardation of coronary atherosclerotic disease. In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 42 men with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) were randomized to control (n = 21) and yoga intervention group (n = 21) and were followed for one year. The active group was treated with a user-friendly program consisting of yoga, control of risk factors, diet control and moderate aerobic exercise. The control group was managed by conventional methods i.e. risk factor control and American Heart Association step I diet.


RESULTS
At one year, the yoga groups showed significant reduction in number of anginal episodes per week, improved exercise capacity and decrease in body weight. Serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels also showed greater reductions as compared with control group. Revascularisation procedures (coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery) were less frequently required in the yoga group (one versus eight patients; relative risk = 5.45; P = 0.01). Coronary angiography repeated at one year showed that significantly more lesions regressed (20% versus 2%) and less lesions progressed (5% versus 37%) in the yoga group (chi-square = 24.9; P < 0.0001). The compliance to the total program was excellent and no side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Yoga lifestyle intervention retards progression and increases regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease. It also improves symptomatic status, functional class and risk factor profile.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
S C
SC
Manchanda
R
R
Narang
K S
KS
Reddy
U
U
Sachdeva
D
D
Prabhakaran
S
S
Dharmanand
M
M
Rajani
R
R
Bijlani
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga