Which yoga poses should one avoid when suffering a heart disease? (Disease query)

If you are suffering from heart disease, there are many precautions to be taken while treating it. Here are a few yoga poses you should avoid.

I have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease. Which are the yoga poses I should avoid?

You should avoid poses that make your heart work too much. It is suggested that inverted poses should be avoided as the heart has to pump blood against gravity to supply it to your hands and legs, which exerts more pressure. Apart from regular exercises, there are important things to consider while treating a heart disease, like reducing stress and a healthy diet. You may like to read about 6 heart healthy diet tips.

Here are a few yoga asanas you should avoid:

1. Chakrasana (Wheel pose): This position is a backbend and hence, requires a lot of strength and a proper breathing pattern. It puts pressure on your heart to pump blood faster and so it should be avoided.
2. Halasana (Plough pose): The plough pose requires you to lie on our back , lift your legs and put them behind your head. This position also requires your heart to circulate blood to the lower body with pressure and against gravity.
3. Karnapirasana (Ear closing pose): This position is similar to halasana, but it requires more efforts, as you have to bring your legs closer to the ground with knees next to the ears. Similar to the halasana, this position exerts pressure on the heart.
4. Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand): This position should be completely avoided as you are standing on your shoulders, with pressure completely on your upper body; the heart has to work against gravity for blood circulation.
5. Sirshasana (Head stand): Similar to the Sarvangasana, Sirshasana is an inverted position. The body is held upright with the support of the arms and the head touching the floor. The legs are held over the heart and hence more pressure is exerted by the heart to pump blood to the lower body.
6. Viparita Karani (Simple inverted pose): This position requires you to lie on your back and raise your legs and slowly lift your hips and support them with your hands. As with all the other poses, this pose puts a strain on your heart for blood circulation to the lower body as your legs are above your heart.

Image source: Getty Images

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