Yoga Improves Vascular stiffness in COVID-19 Survivors of Vijayapur, Karnataka, India

Introduction: The protective effect of yoga and other mind-body practices on cardiovascular health and stress reduction has been proven. However, the specific influence of common yoga protocol (CYP) on rate pressure product (RPP) and vascular stiffness in COVID-19 survivors requires rigorous scientific investigation. The purpose of the current study was to assess how a standard yoga program affected the vascular stiffness and RPP of COVID-19 survivors who had mild illness. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational research included seventy-two people who sought care at our hospital and had their COVID-19 diagnosis. Study participants were split up into a Yoga group and a control group, age and gender-matched. Physical anthropometry, physiological parameters and vascular stiffness indicators like brachial-ankle and carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (b-a PWV and c-f PWV) and brachial and ankle Arterial stiffness Index (bASI and aASI) were also assessed compared the effect of CYP at baseline and after three-month. Using SPSS software, a post hoc test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the statistical study. Results: On day ninety of CYP practice, the yoga group displayed a notable decrease (p<0.05) in heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), b-a PWV, c-f PWV, bASI and aASI compared to baseline values observed at the time of enrollment. Similarly, the control group showed no significant alteration in physiological and vascular stiffness parameters at day ninety. Conclusion: The current study unequivocally demonstrated the influence of CYP on HR, SBP, DBP, MAP, PWV and ASI in the yoga group of COVID-19 survivors.