Tai Chi after a myocardial infaction
Question :
Can Tai Chi reduce blood pressure after an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
Answer :
Tai Chi reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Summary :
Following a myocardial infarction, 126 patients were randomly allocated to Tai Chi, aerobic exercise or a non-exercise support group. The patients were males with an average age 56 years. 38 patients practiced the Wu Chian-Ch’uan style of Tai Chi for 8 weeks (1 hour sessions, twice a week for 3 weeks and then weekly for 5 weeks).
The aerobic exercise group showed decreasing systolic blood pressure over the 11 sessions.
The Tai Chi group showed decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure over the 11 sessions.
Reference :
Changes in haemodynamic parameters following Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction.
Postgraduate Medical Journal. 1996 June. Free full text.
