Using Regular Yoga Practice to Reduce Blood Pressure in Patients with Unmedicated Prehypertension

Using Regular Yoga Practice

to Reduce Blood Pressure in

Patients with Unmedicated

Prehypertension

The Clinical Question

Can an evidence-based practice solution be

implemented using yoga to lower blood pressure in patients diagnosed with

prehypertension?

The Hypertension Epidemic• 67 million American adults have high blood

pressure

• 30% of American adults have prehypertension

• In 2009, 348,000 deaths in the U.S. included high blood pressure as a primary or contributing cause

• High blood pressure leads to heart attacks, strokes and heart failure

The Cost of Hypertension

High blood

pressure

costs $51

billion

annually.

Costs are

estimated to

increase to

$343 billion

by 2030.

Current solutions are not

working!

47%

Control

BP is under control

BP NOT under control

58%

Anti-hypertensive Use

Do not use anti-hypertensivemedication as prescribed

Use anti-hypertensives asprescribed

Yoga??

Yoga in the Literature

SBP

8.17

mmHg

DBP

6.14

mmHg

Yoga in the Literature

Yoga

Nonaerobic exercise

vs.

Yoga in the Literature

Why Yoga?

Popularity of yoga – 15.8 million Americans

Yoga is effective, simple and inexpensive.

Yoga requires very little equipment.

Best practice can be

implemented for a yoga

regimen that includes

postures, breathing

techniques and meditation

for patients diagnosed

with prehypertension.

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Chung, S.C., Brooks, M.M., Rai, M., Balk, J.L., & Rai, S. (2012). Effect of Sahaja yoga meditation on quality of life, anxiety and blood pressure control. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18, 589-596. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0038

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Heart and blood pressure cuff image. Retreived Mary 2, 2014 from www.todayifoundout.com

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Hughes, J.W., Fresco, D.M., Myerscough, R., Van Dulmen, M.H., Carlson, L.E. & Josephson, R. (2013). Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for prehypertension. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75, 721-728. doi: 10.1097/psy.0b013e3182a3 e4e5

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