ROLE OF YOGA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION: A PROSPECTIVE HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY

Hypertension is a major global health challenge and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in pharmacological therapy, long-term blood pressure control remains suboptimal in many patients. Yoga, a holistic mind-body practice incorporating asanas, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation techniques, has emerged as a promising complementary intervention. This prospective hospital-based study evaluated the effectiveness of yoga as an adjunct to standard antihypertensive therapy in 100 hypertensive patients. Participants receiving yoga demonstrated greater reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with improvements in heart rate, respiratory rate, and body mass index. The findings support yoga as a safe, affordable, and effective adjunctive strategy in hypertension management.