Effect of Yoga on Arterial Stiffness, Serum HSP70, and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Controlled Study

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with accelerated cardiovascular remodeling, increased arterial stiffness, and altered expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), contributing to increased cardiovascular morbidity. Yoga has emerged as a complementary lifestyle intervention with potential cardiometabolic benefits; however, evidence regarding its effect on arterial stiffness and HSP70 remains limited.Objective: To evaluate the effect of a 12-week yoga intervention on arterial stiffness, serum HSP70, glycaemic control, and hemodynamic parameters in patients with T2DM.Methods: This prospective comparative study included 116 patients with T2DM allocated to a yoga intervention group (n=58) and a control group (n=58). The intervention group underwent supervised yoga sessions (40–45 minutes/day, 5 days/week) for 12 weeks in addition to standard medical care, while controls received standard care alone. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), HbA1c, blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, brachial– ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV), carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), arterial stiffness index (ASI), and serum HSP70.Results: Compared with controls, the yoga group demonstrated significant reductions in serum HSP70 (mean change 18.03±7.92 vs. 2.51±0.95 pg/mL; p<0.001), HbA1c (p=0.008), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), heart rate (p=0.002), pulse pressure (p=0.004), and mean arterial pressure (p=0.011). Significant improvements were also observed in ba-PWV (p<0.001), cf-PWV (p<0.001), and ankle arterial stiffness index (p=0.006), indicating reduced arterial stiffness following yoga intervention.Conclusion: A structured 12-week yoga program significantly improved glycaemic control, cardiovascular hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, and serum HSP70 levels in patients with T2DM. These findings support the incorporation of yoga as a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetes management.