Heart problems + Yoga = ???

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sangria
Participant

February 13, 2010 at 6:05 pm

Post count: 7

#1706

This thought just crossed my mind out of my joke to my father who’s candidly complaining of his big tummy and weight gain. Since I’m recently in a research about yoga and stuffs, I told him why not try yoga. That’s when I became curious if it’s tolerated and advisable for people who have heart problems given that I’m just new to this idea. My father had suffered heart attack twice.

RandomFemale
Participant

February 13, 2010 at 6:19 pm

Post count: 42

#6419

Tell him to talk to his doctor first!

This is only one person’s story, and you can’t base a decision like your father’s off this. But it’s interesting: I just talked to Joseph Encinia, who’s an amazing BIkram teacher (and currenetly in the lead for the Yoga Championship!). As a kid, he was overweight and had a heart attack at 13. He told me his doctor advised him NOT to do rigorous exercise in the heat, but at 19 he ignored that advice and started yoga. Well… google “Bikram yoga joseph encinia” to see what he looks like now.

He was telling me that doctor’s don’t always have the best understanding of what happens in yoga, and he was sure that Bikram was just right for him. Listen to the body and your intuition, right?

However, if your father is recovering from surgery, or if the doctor is sure the heat would kill him, I’d be cautious! I’m sure Gabrielle or other, more experienced yogis have other perspectives.

sangria
Participant

February 13, 2010 at 7:50 pm

Post count: 7

#6420

Thanks for your opinion. My father didn’t have any operation and just suffered these attacks in his late age. He wasn’t up for it anyway. I was just curious though because I’m interested to try yoga but I know I’m predisposed to this disease.

RandomFemale
Participant

February 14, 2010 at 1:39 am

Post count: 42

#6422

Hmm, pre-disposed. I say go for it! All the more reason. Start now while you are healthy so you will stay that way forever! 🙂

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

February 14, 2010 at 8:54 am

Post count: 3048

#6429

Hi Sangria

There are many anecdotal stories online of people with ‘heart problems’ who have benefited from Bikram yoga, lost weight, changed their shape. Someone who has had heart attacks may indeed need some exercise to reduce their future risk. Perhaps your dad can get inspired by other people’s stories on this forum and other online resources because after all he is the one who will have to make any decisions as to his own health. IMHO doing yoga (and not just this kind) would be better than 100% reliance on cardiovascular drugs.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Pacemaker7
Participant

March 13, 2010 at 4:38 am

Post count: 2

#6669

I am a 50 year old female with a pacemaker. Was one of the first kids to get one at age 11. I do aerobics, but can’t let my pulse get too high above 125ish. I really want to try hot yoga. I need to lose about 15 pounds, maybe a few more. Advice please? Thanks

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

March 13, 2010 at 4:48 am

Post count: 3048

#6670

Hi Cheryl

I would like to ask you some questions! When you are exercising how do you know when your heart rate is 125? Do you have to monitor it? Or do you instinctively know when to stop? This is an important consideration, so please let me know!

The other thing I must know is if you are going to be practicing at a public studio or at home.

The important thing in a heated environment is that you do not expose yourself to extreme temperatures that some of the hot yoga studios heat to otherwise you could put yourself at unnecessary risk. It would be crucial for you to find a studio that heated to consistent and reliable temperatures. Or control your own environment at home.

Please let me know what your thoughts are when you respond to my questions and then I can make some more recommendations once I know your intentions and your circumstances.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Pacemaker7
Participant

March 13, 2010 at 6:12 am

Post count: 2

#6671

thank you for your reply! I sure appreciate it.
I can tell when my heart is not happy with how high it’s getting. It starts to pound too hard, or it skips, even with a pacemaker. I think it’s my cardio who told me to not let it get much passed 125ish.
But the H.Yoga class is a public class. My daughter says they keep the temp. seemingly lower…at 97? I will call before I go to be sure.
She also said I could leave the room for a minute or two to cool off then go back in? Or, go into ‘corpse pose?’ Um, not sure if the name of that pose sounds too assuring…haha. 🙂
Thanks for whatever info you give me. I appreciate it.
Cheryl

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

March 15, 2010 at 9:07 am

Post count: 3048

#6692

Hi Cheryl

That sounds very positive.

Here’s what I would do (you may have read this on your forum travels). I would probably go and NOT do the whole class. I would probably start by watching the first set of poses and doing the second set. Stay still, breathe, learn by watching and acclimatize to the heat. That is a 2 week physiological process so you WILL gain benefits simply from being in the heat. There is really no need to over exert especially in the beginning. It pays to take longer and more care in your process. Don’t be concerned about what others think. Just stay still look forward and learn without unnecessary movements and you will not distract anyone. They’re too busy to notice in any case! After a handful of classes start to do the first set and not the second. Then work your way up from there. You can only build your cardiovascular health by using your CV system. Most students find increased resilience with practice.

If you need to take a break, I would try to stay in the room and just lie down if you can manage it. You will be the best judge of what you need to do. I am not sure how it would be for your body to go from hot to cold quickly and what that means for your heart. But I do know you can take an easy route to get familiar with the poses and the environment.

My disclaimer: You have to be the one to choose!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

nineroses
Participant

July 25, 2013 at 9:09 am

Post count: 1

#10579

hi there i have a friend who has a pace maker and interested in doing hot yoga. is this possible to do with a pace maker? yes she will take all the information she gathers to her doctor to hopefully get the ok to do it. she is 63 years old. i have been doing hot yoga for 3 months now and love it, and continue to share the benefits i have recieved hence her interest. thank u for your reply.

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

August 16, 2013 at 3:48 am

Post count: 3048

#10602

Hi Joanne

We should really make this a thread on its own so that people searching for answers will see its own dedicated title!

Would you be willing to do that? I will look out for it and answer as soon as I find it.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
vseprosto90211
Participant

February 20, 2020 at 3:39 am

Post count: 4
#22869
First of all, he should talk to his doctor. When you have some health problems it’s necessary to consult a doctor, because there could be some contraindications, concerning the exercises or sport you want to go in for.

If you think that you predisposed to this disease then yoga is a good way to keep fit. You don’t have to wait or afraid that you can’t do it or it’s not for you. Just go for it instead. Start careering about your health as soon as possible and your predisposition would seem less intimidating to you.
- This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by vseprosto90211.
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