Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the US and according to the CDC, claims over 610,000 victims each year. Approximately 1 of 4 survivors of an acute coronary event (heart attack) will experience another event or die within the following five years. Researchers feel many of these deaths can be avoided.
Until the late 80s, patients with chronic heart failure and coronary events were often considered too frail to exercise, and were typically told to avoid physical activity. That has changed as scientists look to improve mortality and survival rates. Today, Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs (CR) are standard of care following coronary events, but less than 30% of eligible participants participate in these program, which also experience attrition rates around 60%. Surveyed patients often state they dislike CR exercises and perceive them as dangerous. They also complain about the high co-pays involved.
The American College of Cardiology believes that Tai Chi could benefit cardiac patients who decline or dislike traditional CR programs. In fact, research now suggests that Tai Chi is an excellent activity in terms of maintaining heart health, as well as preventing future coronary events.
2011, scientists at Harvard and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center followed 100 patients who had reduced heart-pumping function for 12 weeks. Fifty participated in Tai Chi, while the other 50 received time-matched education sessions. At the end of the study, the Tai Chi group had greater improvements in quality of life, confidence, daily activity levels and emotional well being.
A metadata study by Dr. Peter Wayne, Ph.D. of Harvard Medical School found Tai Chi positively impacted blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation, all cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Dr. Elena Salmoriago-Blotcher of Brown University enrolled 29 severely de-conditioned, high-risk patients to determine if Tai Chi would be adopted as a form of physical activity. One group did Tai Chi twice a week for 12 weeks, while the other practiced three times a week for 12 weeks, followed by three additional months of maintenance classes. Both groups experienced positive results, however, the more intensive group were more active, lost more weight and reported a higher quality of life than the less-intensive group. In addition, the study retention rate was 90% overall, and 95% of the participants found it enjoyable, particularly the social aspects of the program.
Future research will be aimed at determining whether Tai Chi actually improves outcomes, such as reducing risk for future heart events, and whether TC can increase survival rates. And, of course, additional, larger studies need to be undertaken to determine whether Tai Chi should be offered as an alternative exercise within existing CR programs, or within the context of community-based rehabilitation programs.
Even if you don’t currently have a heart condition, taking care of your heart and reducing stress is central to good overall health according to the American Heart Association. Tai Chi has been shown to be effective way to achieve both.