Yoga, mind-body practice future of cardiac ailment prevention: Dr Sushil

Jammu, Feb 26: Head, Department of Cardiology GMCH Jammu Dr Sushil Sharma held a daylong cardiac awareness-cum-health check-up camp at Vishwayatan Yogashram Trust, Katra to highlight the importance of yoga and meditation in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
The main aim of the camp was to educate the masses about the ever-growing importance of mind-body practices and yoga in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases, Dr Sushil said.
While interacting with the people, Dr Sushil said that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. “Most CVDs could be prevented by managing their risk factors. Lifestyle modification reduces the risk of CVDs and is thus useful for the primary prevention and better management of the CVDs,” he said.
The doctor said that yoga is a mind-body practice that originated in ancient Indian philosophy and is gaining popularity as a therapeutic measure in the Western world.
“Evidence suggests that yoga-based lifestyle intervention might retard and possibly revert the progression of CVDs. Yoga is an integrated system of self-culture which aims at the harmonious development of body and mind and covers all aspects of human life that lead to physical wellbeing, mental harmony culminating into positive thinking, happiness and peace,” he said.
He elaborated that yoga has emerged at the forefront of holistic medical care due to its long history of linking physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Research in yoga therapy (YT) has associated improved cardiovascular and quality of life (QoL) outcomes for the special needs of heart failure (HF) patients, he said.
Dr Sushil said yoga as a treatment modality for the HF patient may lead to a decrease in symptoms and improved quality of life (QoL) because of gains in muscle strength, improved endurance, flexibility, and decreased anxiety. “It is one of the most popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, incorporating Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathing exercises), Dhyana (meditation), and certain philosophical principles to create a sense of well-being,” he said.
Yoga is a mind-body activity that involves moving through a series of body poses and breathing exercises that can improve strength, flexibility, balance and relaxation, he said, adding that practicing yoga may help lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels, as well as heart rate, making it a useful lifestyle intervention.
Management Committee of the Vishwayatan Yogashram Trust Swami Yogananda Yogacharya and Dr Govind Ram Magotra appreciated the efforts of Dr Sushil and his team for conducting cardiac awareness-cum-health check-up camp in their ashram and hoped such kind of initiatives will be held in the future also.
Others who were part of the camp included Dr Gopal Dutt (BMO Katra), Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor and Dr Hari Krishan Padha. The paramedics and volunteers included Kamal Sharma, Sahil Sharma, Gourav Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Rajkumar, Yogesh Kumar, Amandeep Singh and Maneet Kumar.