New York, November 11  A new study finds that regularly practicing yoga, the traditional art involving physical and mental exercises, may help in keeping the heart healthy by regulating its beat. Findings of the study suggest that yogic exercises like breathing exercises, stretching, postures, relaxation, and meditation may boost heart’s health which is very essential for the proper functioning of the body.

Yoga practitioners found to have higher HRV To determine whether yoga helps in promoting heart’s health, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee, in Uttrakhand, India, studied 42 healthy males who were non-yogic practitioners, and 42 healthy males who were experienced practitioners aged between 18 and 48.

After analyzing the heart rate variability (HRV)--a sign of a healthy heart--of all the 84 volunteers, the researchers found those who practiced yogic breathing and exercises had higher HRV and had better control over their heart rate compared to the non-practitioners. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of the ongoing variation of heart rate. Higher HRV is linked to a healthy heart, whereas cardiac [pertaining to the heart.] abnormalities or chronic stress, nervousness, impulsive decision-making bring the HRV down.

The scientists also noted that practicing yoga could also help to regulate the sympathetic nervous system, which causes the heart rate to rise, and parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down the heart rate. These two nervous systems ensure that the heart rate remains stable. "There is strengthening of parasympathetic (vagal) control in subjects who regularly practice yoga, which is indicative of better autonomic control over heart rate and so, a healthier heart," the researchers concluded.

Yoga improves heart’s health Previous research has also shown that practicing yoga at least three times a week lowers the risk of health complications like blood pressure, pulse, hypertension and overall risk of heart diseases, and thus prevents the recurrence of cardiovascular events. Yoga has also been associated with lowering the cholesterol levels and boosting the immune system [complex network of specialized cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by ] , factors essential in keeping the heart healthy. The findings of the study will be published in the forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics.