Tai Chi for Cardiac (heart) Conditions
Cardiac fitness and heart function is essential to function and health. Several cross-sectional studies have demonstrated Tai Chi's effectiveness as a cardiovascular workout. Longtime practitioners are able to raise their heart rate above 70% of the predicted maximum. Compared to control subjects who did not learn Tai Chi, the Tai Chi subjects had significantly higher peak oxygen uptake and higher oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold. The rate of decline with age in aerobic capacity was significantly better in Tai Chi Chuan subjects than sedentary controls. Breathing rate and ratio of dead space to tidal volume are significantly better while practicing Tai Chi than while biking. Elderly Tai Chi practitioners score better in resting heart rate and three minute step test heart rate than sedentary people. It is clear from the research that Tai Chi Chuan enhances and maintains cardiovascular fitness. Tai Chi also has clear application for people with heart disease.
Tai Chi Chuan can help decrease blood pressure in people who have had a heart attack. The use of a Tai Chi Chuan program for rehabilitation after a coronary artery bypass surgery has been studied. The Tai Chi group increased cardiovascular fitness over 10% while the controls only increased slightly. As healthy people, these post-surgical patients were able to use Tai Chi Chuan to work at target heart rate sufficient to improve cardiovascular function.
Along with improving cardiovascular health and reducing stress, Tai Chi Chuan teaches energy conservation strategies that improve function in people with cardiac impairments.
Tai Chi Teacher & Holistic Physical Therapist, Bill Gallagher teaches Tai Chi for Heart Disease to improve Cardiac Function and Quality of Life. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Filed under: Tai Chi
Other Pages
Tai Chi to Build Strength
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis
Main Intervention (RX) Page
