Yoga Improves Quality of Life and Physical Endurance in Heart Failure Patients, Indian Study Finds

Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body's requirements. Patients may experience breathlessness, fatigue, swelling, reduced exercise tolerance and difficulty performing everyday activities.

The multicentre Indian study evaluated whether a structured yoga-based rehabilitation programme could improve outcomes among people living with heart failure. Nearly 3,500 patients receiving treatment at 16 centres participated. Half received a structured yoga intervention, while the comparison group received enhanced standard care.

The yoga programme included guided sessions, lifestyle education and behaviour-change support. Patients were encouraged to practise yoga at home for approximately 50–55 minutes daily.

After three months, the yoga group showed improvements in quality-of-life scores and physical functioning. During a six-minute walking assessment, participants in the yoga group walked an average of 25.5 metres farther than those in the comparison group.

However, the intervention did not significantly reduce the combined risk of death, hospitalisation or stroke. Researchers believe yoga could provide an affordable supportive rehabilitation option, particularly in areas where specialised cardiac rehabilitation facilities are limited.

The findings do not suggest that yoga replaces heart failure medication or specialist treatment. Patients should practise under appropriate medical guidance.