A new global analysis reveals yoga-based cardiac rehabilitation is as effective as standard methods for heart attack survivors. This approach significantly reduces hospital readmissions and improves quality of life, particularly for disadvantaged individuals. The findings highlight yoga’s affordability and accessibility as a powerful tool for recovery. AI image used for representation NEW DELHI: A new global analysis has reinforced what India has long believed: movement heals. An international meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that yoga-based cardiac rehabilitation is as effective as standard rehabilitation for patients recovering from heart attacks — and may even help close health gaps among the most disadvantaged.Cardiac rehabilitation, traditionally centred on supervised exercise like treadmill walking or cycling along with monitoring and counselling, has been proven for decades. But the new review — covering nearly 5,000 coronary artery disease patients across eight international studies — offers some of the strongest evidence yet that yoga can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with conventional rehab.Patients who underwent cardiac rehab were 38% less likely to land back in the hospital for a new cardiac event and 32% less likely to be hospitalised for other causes over three years. They also reported better quality of life for up to a year after rehab. While life expectancy remained similar, the gains in day-to-day wellbeing were significant — and most pronounced among individuals with lower educational levels, a group traditionally underserved by cardiac care.AIIMS cardiologist Dr Ambuj Roy, a co-author of the meta-analysis, said the findings should resonate strongly in India. “The inclusion of yoga showed benefits comparable to standard cardiac rehab,” he said. “This matters for India, where standard CR is limited and expensive, while yoga is affordable, culturally acceptable and easily accessible.”Experts say the benefits transform lives. Dr Balbir Singh, Group Chairman & Head, Cardiology, Max Healthcare, pointed to a celebrated Geneva study where 29 heart-attack survivors, after structured rehab, successfully trekked up to 2,700 metres near Mont Blanc. “If patients can be trained to climb a mountain, it shows how effective cardiac rehab truly is,” he said, adding that early, guided exercise helps prevent future cardiac events and restores confidence.Clinicians say the findings reflect reality on the ground. Dr L.K. Jha, Associate Director & Head, Unit-II Cardiology, Asian Hospital, said patients often believe recovery ends at discharge — when the real healing actually begins. “Rehab helps them regain strength and avoid repeat hospital visits. It helps everyone, educated or not,” he said.Dr Atul Mathur, Chairman, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, said rehab remains underutilised despite overwhelming evidence. “It should be integral to every patient’s treatment,” he said, urging hospitals and families to treat it as essential, not optional.The study’s message is clear and urgent: exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation — including yoga — is one of the most powerful, low-cost tools to help heart patients recover faster, stay out of the hospital, and live better.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Sangai Festival 2025- ThemeSangai Festival 2025 Opening CeremonyEx-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Breaks Silence, Calls Out Narrative Traps With Cryptic Reference To His Past’This Is How Democracy Should Work’: Shashi Tharoor’s Truth Bomb on Cong After Trump-Mamdani MeetingChina Used India-Pak Hostilities For Real-World Weapon Tests And Global Arms Sales, Says US ReportRSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Warns Civilisations Will Fade But Hindus Endure While Calling For UnityIndia Urges Stronger Global Action At UN As Navy’s 520 Rescues Spotlight Arabian Sea InstabilityAt Indo-Pacific Forum, Pakistan Claims India Endangering Peace With War Rhetoric, IWT SuspensionBravery In The Sky: The Story Of Namansh Syal, Tejas Pilot Who Died During The Dubai Airshow DisplayAustralian PM Condoles Red Fort Attack, Saudi Bus Tragedy As He Meets PM Modi During G20 Summit123PhotostoriesMumbai’s Rs 100-Crore Footpath Revamp: What’s Changing on Key RoadsThe must-have vaccines every child needs: What parents shouldn’t skip9 gorgeous white animals that reflect nature’s elegance9 regional chicken dishes from across IndiaActor who lost 10 films overnight after a set accident with Amitabh Bachchan, went jobless for 6 years, is now…How Bengaluru’s Vande Bharat Sleeper Rake Aims to Transform Long-Distance TravelSmriti Mandhana’s relationship timeline: From the meet-cute to the grand proposalAlia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s top 5 parenting tipsHow Maharashtra’s upcoming pod taxis aim to fix daily commuter painHow to keep avocados fresh for a week: 5 ways that actually work123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingPortland Trail Blazers vs Golden State WarriorsSavannah JamesMiami Heat vs Chicago BullsSophie CunninghamHow to get Vecna Skin in FortniteAdam FootePM ModiLebron JamesNBA CupCade Cunningham
NEW DELHI: A new global analysis has reinforced what India has long believed: movement heals. An international meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that yoga-based cardiac rehabilitation is as effective as standard rehabilitation for patients recovering from heart attacks — and may even help close health gaps among the most disadvantaged.Cardiac rehabilitation, traditionally centred on supervised exercise like treadmill walking or cycling along with monitoring and counselling, has been proven for decades. But the new review — covering nearly 5,000 coronary artery disease patients across eight international studies — offers some of the strongest evidence yet that yoga can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with conventional rehab.Patients who underwent cardiac rehab were 38% less likely to land back in the hospital for a new cardiac event and 32% less likely to be hospitalised for other causes over three years. They also reported better quality of life for up to a year after rehab. While life expectancy remained similar, the gains in day-to-day wellbeing were significant — and most pronounced among individuals with lower educational levels, a group traditionally underserved by cardiac care.AIIMS cardiologist Dr Ambuj Roy, a co-author of the meta-analysis, said the findings should resonate strongly in India. “The inclusion of yoga showed benefits comparable to standard cardiac rehab,” he said. “This matters for India, where standard CR is limited and expensive, while yoga is affordable, culturally acceptable and easily accessible.”Experts say the benefits transform lives. Dr Balbir Singh, Group Chairman & Head, Cardiology, Max Healthcare, pointed to a celebrated Geneva study where 29 heart-attack survivors, after structured rehab, successfully trekked up to 2,700 metres near Mont Blanc. “If patients can be trained to climb a mountain, it shows how effective cardiac rehab truly is,” he said, adding that early, guided exercise helps prevent future cardiac events and restores confidence.Clinicians say the findings reflect reality on the ground. Dr L.K. Jha, Associate Director & Head, Unit-II Cardiology, Asian Hospital, said patients often believe recovery ends at discharge — when the real healing actually begins. “Rehab helps them regain strength and avoid repeat hospital visits. It helps everyone, educated or not,” he said.Dr Atul Mathur, Chairman, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, said rehab remains underutilised despite overwhelming evidence. “It should be integral to every patient’s treatment,” he said, urging hospitals and families to treat it as essential, not optional.The study’s message is clear and urgent: exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation — including yoga — is one of the most powerful, low-cost tools to help heart patients recover faster, stay out of the hospital, and live better.
