High Blood Pressure

Can yoga replace blood pressure medication?

No. The research on yoga and blood pressure treats yoga as an addition to standard care, not a replacement for prescribed medication. If your readings improve with regular practice or other lifestyle changes, use that information with your doctor when reviewing your treatment.

Contents
  1. 01What the evidence is actually testing
  2. 02If your readings are changing
Health guide
01

What the evidence is actually testing

Studies of yoga for blood pressure generally add a yoga programme to usual care. Reported reductions therefore do not show that yoga can take the place of medication prescribed for hypertension.

The useful question is whether yoga can be part of a broader blood-pressure plan. The available research supports considering it as a complementary lifestyle measure rather than presenting it as a substitute treatment.

02

If your readings are changing

Keep taking prescribed medicines unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise. Bring a record of your blood-pressure readings and any changes in your routine to the next review so treatment decisions can be based on your response over time.

From information to your situation

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