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Yoga and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in African Americans and Hispanics

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The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Medicine

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Abstract

Despite numerous advances in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors, CVD remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA and globally [1]. The effective prevention and treatment of CVD often requires the combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches, typically directed at CVD risk factors [1, 2]. However, the prevention of CVD is more commonly grounded in non-pharmacologic approaches, especially primary prevention of key CVD risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, inactivity, smoking, and stress [1–3]. The therapeutic lifestyle changes required as part of a comprehensive non-pharmacologic approach are particularly important since many of these CVD risk factors are behavioral and modifiable [1, 2]. Health care providers may use evidence-based tools for CVD prevention, for example, brief motivational interviewing or the 5A’s (Ask, Advise, Assist, Assess, Arrange) to ask patients about diet and exercise patterns, their smoking status, provide lifestyle advice, and participate in local initiatives or services that may provide support services and promote healthy lifestyle change [4]. By contrast, health care providers may encourage the use of approaches considered alternative for addressing CVD in Western Allopathic medicine such as naturopathy, meditation, and yoga [5–7]. The identification and effective communication of key CVD risk-attributable behaviors (such as dietary intake, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and stress reduction), should engage and encourage patients to be proactive in the implementation of therapeutic lifestyle changes including the practice of yoga and meditation [1–3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Keith C. Norris

  2. Department of Health Systems and Population Health Science, College of Medicine, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Bettina M. Beech

  3. University of Houston Population Health, Jackson, MS, USA

    Bettina M. Beech

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  1. Keith C. Norris
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Correspondence to Keith C. Norris .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiologist & Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Director of Cardiovascular Research, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Indranill Basu-Ray

  2. Medical Director, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine & Director, Office for Well-Being, Center for Faculty Development, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Darshan Mehta

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Norris, K.C., Beech, B.M. (2022). Yoga and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in African Americans and Hispanics. In: Basu-Ray, I., Mehta, D. (eds) The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Medicine. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6913-2_22

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