Effects of Yoga on Blood Pressure and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in Mild Hypertensive Patients

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is considered a prominent cause of mortality. Essential hypertension is regarded as the most important risk factor for CVD in modern society despite advanced and effective management. Malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of oxidative stress, is produced by the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid. Nadishodhan pranayam leads to decrease stress as well as blood pressure. It was an interventional type of study done between January 2020 to May 2020. Ninety-seven mild hypertensive patients (53 males and 44 females) of group I completed the yoga program. While fifty normotensive subjects were included as a control in group II. Blood pressure and MDA were measured of every participant before and after three months of the yoga program. Total ninety-seven mild hypertensive patients of age 33.6± 8.66 years of group I completed three months yoga program. However, fifty subjects (34.7 ± 7.73 years)of group II had not done any yogic exercise for three months. This study showed a significant difference in SBP (p<0.001), DBP (p<0.001), HR (p<0.001), PP (p<0.001) and MAP (p<0.001) group I mild hypertensive patients after following three months yoga program. There was a significant difference between before and after the yoga program MDA level of group I mild hypertensive patients. However, there was an insignificant difference between before and after three months level of MDA in group II control subjects. In this study, it has been observed that the daily practice of yoga improves the blood pressure of mildly hypertensive patients. Moreover, it substantially decreases oxidative stress. Yoga can be an effective alternative to reduce blood pressure in mild hypertensive patients either with medication or without medication.