Yoga and Heart Health: A Promising Approach for ICD Patients

Image: Benefit from yoga for better heart health

A nurse administrator who had lived with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) for several years had grown accustomed to managing her health with the device. However, one Friday morning, she heard a strange beeping sound around 10:30 AM while at work. Confused, she searched her office and entered the patient area to find the source. The beeping stopped, and she brushed it off, assuming it was a coincidence. But the following morning, while enjoying her coffee at home, the same beeping sound returned. This time, it sent a wave of fear through her. 

She searched her house for the source but couldn’t pinpoint anything making the noise. Alarmed, she called a colleague in cardiovascular electrophysiology, her voice shaky with concern. Just as they were speaking, the beeping stopped. Her colleague calmly explained that the beeping was a signal from her ICD, indicating that the device’s battery was low and needed to be replaced surgically.

This frightening and confusing moment of uncertainty is just one example of ICD patients' many challenges. These experiences can create significant emotional stress and anxiety. Living with an ICD often involves managing not just the physical care but also the mental and emotional strain of never genuinely knowing when the next “alarm” might go off. 

Living with an ICD often means navigating more than just physical recovery. It’s about managing the emotional and psychological challenges that come with it. For many, the uncertainty of living with a device that could potentially deliver an unexpected shock can create a constant undercurrent of stress and anxiety.

Research has long shown that psychological stress can negatively affect heart health. Stress and anxiety contribute to triggering arrhythmias, reducing heart rate variability, and even increasing the likelihood of cardiac events. So, what if there was a way to help ICD patients cope with these challenges, manage their emotional well-being, and improve their heart health? 

A randomized clinical trial set out to investigate precisely that—by studying the effects of yoga on ICD patients. The results were remarkable: yoga helped reduce anxiety, increased self-compassion, and even led to fewer device-related ventricular cardiac events. Integrating mind-body practices like gentle yoga into care routines could provide a path forward, offering a holistic approach that supports both the body and the mind, fostering resilience and empowering patients to live more confidently with their condition.

Why Stress Matters for ICD Patients

The emotional and psychological challenges of living with an ICD are well documented. Studies have found that:

✔ Up to 46% of ICD patients experience clinical levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms

✔ Stress can contribute to triggering arrhythmias and increase the risk of cardiac events

✔ Many ICD patients reduce physical activity out of fear, which can worsen their overall health.

Because of these concerns, researchers are increasingly exploring mind-body interventions, including yoga, as a potential way to improve health outcomes for ICD recipients.

Why Does Yoga Work for ICD Patients?

The exact mechanisms behind yoga’s heart benefits are still being studied, but research suggests that yoga:

✔ Reduces stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline), which can trigger arrhythmias

✔ Enhances vagal tone, improving autonomic nervous system balance

✔ Lowers inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to cardiac disease

✔ Encourages movement in a safe, controlled manner, reducing fear of physical activity

By incorporating breathing techniques, relaxation, and gentle movement, yoga may help retrain the body’s response to stress, leading to better heart health.

Do you or someone you know have an ICD?

Would you consider trying gentle adapted yoga as part of your cardiac rehabilitation? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

If you found this helpful, consider sharing it with others in your network.

🔎 Interested in future research? Follow me on LinkedIn for more updates on heart health, mind-body medicine, and how to change behaviors to improve your health and quality of life.

Read more about the yoga study conducted by Dr. Stefanie Toise.