Yoga could improve quality of life for patients with atrial fibrillation

Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could see an improved quality of life from doing yoga, according research published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. In addition, yoga has also been seen to decrease patient's heart rate and blood pressure. 

"Many patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can't live their lives as they want to. AF episodes are accompanied by chest pain, dyspnoea and dizziness. These symptoms are unpleasant and patients feel anxious, worried and stressed that an AF episode will occur." said Maria Wahlström, a nurse and PhD candidate at Sophiahemmet University and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder, affecting 1.5 to two percent of the general population in the developed world. There is no cure for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and management of the illness focuses on relief of symptoms and the prevention of complications such as stroke using cardioversion, ablation and medication.

Ms Wahlström said: "We found that patients who did yoga had a better quality of life, lower heart rate and lower blood pressure than patients who did not do yoga. It could be that the deep breathing balances the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system, leading to less variation in heart rate. The breathing and movement may have beneficial effects on blood pressure."