A Study of Assessment of Cardiac Autonomic Functions after Yogasana and Pranayama

Abstract

Introduction: Modern lifestyle, busy work schedule, lack of exercise, more expectancy generates stress in human life. Stress is a crucial factor in origin of diseases. Stress leads to autonomic imbalance. Yoga has very positive effects on stress. Yoga is now widely used for prevention and treatment of various disorders and to achieve the physical, Physiological, Psychological, spiritual and social well being of the person. So this study is planned to see the effects of yoga on healthy subjects as an important preventive measure to remain away from diseases. The present study was undertaken to show the various effects of selective yogasana and pranayama on cardiac autonomic functions in healthy subjects between age group 31 to 60 years. Material and Methods: The subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent the yogasana and pranayama sessions. Anthropometric data was collected. The cardiovascular status of 45 healthy subjects was assessed by cardiac autonomic function tests before the start of and after 3 months of yogasanaand pranayama practice daily for one hour. The instruments Diabetic Risk Profiler by Genesis Healthcare System Hydrabad, Handgrip dynamometer, digital blood pressure apparatus, cold water tub were used. The tests conducted were resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, deep breathing test(E/I ratio), orthostatic heart rate response (30/15 ratio), valsalva ratio, sustained handgrip test, cold pressor test and blood pressure response to standing. Results: After yogasana and pranayama for three months significant reduction in resting HR, SBP and DBP were found. Mean resting heart rate (HR) was decreased from 77.04/min to 71.38/min, mean SBP from 121mmHg to 117.51 mmHg and mean DBP from 83.42mmHg to 79.91mmHg. There was significant increase in parasympathetic reactivity parameters like orthostatic HRR from 1.12 to 1.50, Deep breathing from 1.20 to 1.52 and valsalva ratio from 1.24 to 1.67. There was significant decrease in sympathetic reactivity variables like sustained HGT Difference of diastolic BP (∆DBP) from 11.40 to 7.73 mmHg, cold pressor test ∆DBP 11.67 to 7.71mmHg and BP response to standing Difference of systolic BP (∆SBP) from 10.71 to7.64 mmHg. There were no statistical significant change observed in anthropometric parameters like body mass index (BMI) from 24.12 to 23.28 and waist hip ratio(WHR) from 0.87 to 0.85. Conclusion: It can be concluded that yogasana and pranayama has beneficial effects on cardiac autonomic activities and reactivity. This lifestyle should be followed regularly as a preventive measure by the persons with cardiac diseases to get relief and also healthy persons to remain away from cardiovascular problems.