Health Benefits And Risks Of Hot Yoga

Risky With A Heart Condition

For the same reason that hypertensive individuals may need to avoid hot yoga, so too should anyone with certain conditions. Hot yoga puts added strain on the heart, forcing it to work harder and faster to meet the energy demand induced by a rising core body temperature. Those without heart problems can easily compensate for physical stress, but it may be risky for those with a heart condition. Anyone with a history of angina (stress-induced chest pain) or coronary artery disease, a condition in which vascular plaque has narrowed the lining of the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart itself, should be cautious about trying hot yoga. Heart conditions and blood pressure issues go hand-in-hand, so the same cautions apply. As the heart rate speeds up and blood pressure rises, individuals with compromised heart health may be placed at high risk for a sudden cardiac emergency.