Yoga 'is good for the heart'
Heart disease is the world's number one killer, taking over 300,000 lives a year in the UK alone.
Though incidence rates are expected to be overtaken by cancer in the next two years, it will still be a leading cause of death, though a new study shows that a common exercise may be the key to preventing the condition.
Research conducted in India and published in the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics has shown that heart rate variability (HRV), a sign of a healthy heart, is higher in yoga practitioners than in those who do not practice the exercise.
It was conducted by Ramesh Kumar Sunkaria, Vinod Kumar and Suresh Chandra Saxena of the electrical engineering department at the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee.
According to the experts, in healthy individuals HRV is high, whereas cardiac abnormalities lead to a low HRV.
They told those with health insurance coverage that practising yoga can help to keep HRV high, following evaluation of two groups of men.
The investigation involved analysing the HRV spectra of the electrocardiograms of 42 healthy male volunteers who did not practise yoga and 42 who were experienced practitioners, all aged between 18 and 48 years.
According to the specialists, medical health insurance customers who practise yoga can improve heart health through breathing exercises, stretching, postures, relaxation and meditation.
Experts at the Indian facility explained that in the preliminary study of 84 volunteers, there is "a strengthening of parasympathetic (vagal) control in subjects who regularly practice yoga", which is indicative of better autonomic control over heart rate and so leads to a healthier heart.
By Stephen Tate
Take a look at our Health Insurance Plans. 
Adfero Ltd provides live and tailored breaking industry news for Chartis Direct. All industry news is prepared by Adfero Ltd and as such does not represent the views or opinions of Chartis Direct a trading name of UNAT Direct Insurance Management Limited.
© Adfero Ltd 2008
