Yoga for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease

Cochrane: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of early cardiovascular-related illness and death in most developed countries. Secondary prevention is a term used to describe interventions that aim to prevent repeat cardiac events and death in people with established CHD. Individuals with CHD are at the highest risk of coronary events and death. Lifestyle modifications play an important role in secondary prevention. Yoga has been regarded as both a type of physical activity and a stress management strategy. The physical and psychological benefits of yoga are well accepted, yet inappropriate practice of yoga may lead to musculoskeletal injuries, such as muscle soreness and strain.
The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of yoga for secondary prevention in CHD in terms of cardiac events, death, and health-related quality of life. We found no randomised controlled trials which met the inclusion criteria for this review. Therefore, the effectiveness of yoga for secondary prevention in CHD remains uncertain. High-quality randomised controlled trials are needed.
This is an update of a review previously published in 2012.

Authors' conclusions: 

The effectiveness of yoga for secondary prevention in CHD remains uncertain. Large RCTs of high quality are needed.