‘Ohm’ for a strong heart
Yoga, the traditional Indian practice of physical and mental discipline, is popular—and for good reason. A new study published in the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics claims that yoga may, in addition to being a great way to get in shape and relax, increase heart rate variability (HRV), a sign of heart health. Heart rate is controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems—the former causes heart rate to rise and the latter slows it. The two work together to keep heart rate steady, but ready to respond to changes caused by activities like eating, exercise and arousal. Researchers analyzed the HRV of 84 healthy male volunteers between ages 18 and 48, half of whom were experienced yogis. Results showed that men who regularly practiced yoga had stronger parasympathetic control, evidence of a healthier heart.

Obesity weighs heavy on your health
It’s a fact: Obesity is bad for your heart, and the evidence keeps mounting. A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that obesity alters heart structure by causing left atrial enlargement (LAE), which increases the risk of stroke, death and atrial fibrillation (the most common type of irregular heart rhythm). Researchers looked at 10 years of data collected from 1,212 men and women ages 25 to 74. Obese people showed the highest incidence of LAE—31.6 percent after 10 years compared to about 10 percent for all study participants at baseline. Researchers concluded that obesity and high blood pressure are independent predictors of LAE and cause structural and functional changes in the heart. Keep your body fit, and your heart will follow.

Working out with Wii

Video games, usually the sidekick of couch potatoes, are now helping adults get active. According to research presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Scientific Sessions 2009, Nintendo Wii sports video games and some Wii fit activities may increase adults’ metabolic rate as much as moderately intense exercise. Researchers measured the energy expenditure of 12 men and women, ages 25 to 44, as they played Wii sports games that required them to imitate the movements required in actual sports. The participants’ energy expenditure was measured in metabolic equivalent values (METs). According to the AHA’s exercise guidelines, moderate intensity is 3.0 METs to 6.0 METs. An adult walking at three miles an hour on a flat surface expends about 3.3 METs. Results showed that one-third of the video games required 3.0 METs or more—the most effective being Wii sport boxing (about 4.5 METs), and the single-arm stand of Wii fit (about 5.6 METs). While video game lovers can get moving without leaving their game system behind, keep in mind that two-thirds of these video games weren’t as effective as good old-fashioned exercise.

Migraine sufferers at higher risk for stroke

Anyone who suffers from migraines knows how debilitating they can be. New research shows that these heinous headaches may be more than just a painful inconvenience—they also raise the risk for stroke. A recent review conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University examined results from 21 studies involving 622,381 men and women between ages 18 and 70, none of whom had previously suffered a stroke. The study concluded that those with migraine headaches were 2.3 times more likely to have an ischemic stroke, the most common kind (occurring when blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off by plaque buildup or a blood clot), than those without. For people who experience migraines with visual symptoms, the risk of ischemic stroke is 2.5 times higher, and in women, 2.9 times as high. To treat migraines, the researchers suggest quitting smoking, taking blood-pressure-lowering or blood-thinning medications such as aspirin and stopping the use of hormone therapy.