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Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is associated with impaired health-related quality of life. Yoga has been suggested to improve health-related quality of life among patients with heart failure and hypertension. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of MediYoga, in respect of health-related quality of life, blood pressure, heart rate, as well as N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, among patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, compared with standard therapy or relaxation. Methods: Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, n =132, were stratified for gender and randomised to MediYoga, a relaxation group or a control group, 44 patients per group with a 12-week follow-up. Health-related quality of life, blood pressure, heart rate and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide were assessed. Results: After 12 weeks, there were no differences in health-related quality of life between the groups. There were improvements in Short-Form Health Survey bodily pain, general health, social function, mental health and mental component summary scores within the MediYoga group (p =0.014, p =0.037, p =0.029, p =0.030, p =0.019, respectively). No change was seen in the relaxation and control groups. Systolic blood pressure decreased in the MediYoga group (134±18 to 127±13) compared with the control group (126±17 to 127±15, p =0.041); no difference compared with the relaxation group (131±17 to 125±12). Diastolic blood pressure decreased in the MediYoga group (79±9 to 74 ±9) compared with the control group (76±9 to 79±8, p =0.005); no difference compared with the relaxation group (76±9 to 77±8). There were no differences in heart rate and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide between the groups after 12 weeks. Conclusions: MediYoga improves health-related quality of life and decreases blood pressure in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. MediYoga may be used as a part of a self-management programme among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to describe the participants' experiences of a structured lifestyle program for persons with high cardiovascular risk. Method: Sixteen participants with high cardiovascular risk participating in a one-year structured lifestyle intervention program were interviewed regarding their experiences of the program. The interviews were analyzed using content analyses. Results: The participants' (mean age 58 ± 9) experiences were categorized into three categories: "How to know," based on the participants' experience from both individual counselling and group sessions with tools to strengthen self-care; "Staff who know how," based on experience from the meeting with, and the importance of, competent health professionals; "Why feedback is essential," based on the participants' experience and effects of person-centered feedback. Several factors were deemed important in the structure of the program: an individual visit with shared goal setting, a group education session with interactive discussion, a competent, educated, and respectful health professional who gives continuous feedback, and the right tools to support self-care at home between visits. Conclusion: Individuals participating in a structured lifestyle program experienced several factors as important: an individual visit with shared goal setting, a group education session with interactive discussion, a competent, educated, and respectful healthcare professional who gives continuous feedback, and the right tools to support self-care at home between visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation often have an impaired quality of life (QoL). Practising yoga may decrease stress and have positive effects on mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to investigate whether yoga can improve QoL and decrease blood pressure and heart rate in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods: In this pilot study, 80 patients diagnosed with PAF were randomized to standard treatment (control group, n=40) or standard treatment in combination with yoga (yoga group, n=40) during a 12-week period. QoL, blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study (12 (+2) weeks). EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the two dimensions in Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate QoL. Results: At baseline there was a significant difference in QoL between the groups in EQ-5D VAS- scale (p=0.02) and SF-36 mental health score (p<0.001) in which the control group had higher scores. At the end of the study, the yoga group averaged higher SF-36 mental health scores. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.016), but no differences in EQ-5D VAS- scale and physiological health score was seen between the two groups. At the end of the study, the yoga group had significantly lower heart rate (p=0.024) and systolic (p=0.033) and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001) compared to the control group. Conclusions: Yoga with light movements and deep breathing may lead to improved QoL, lower blood pressure and lower heart rate in patients with PAF compared to a control group. Yoga could be a complementary treatment method to standard therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]