The September issue of Harvard Heart Letter draws upon Dr. Peter Wayne’s work regarding the benefits of tai chi for cardiovascular health.
Tai Chi: A Gentle Exercise that May Help Heal Your Heart
Tai chi has proven especially beneficial for people with heart failure, who tend to be tired and weak as a result of their heart’s diminished pumping ability. The upper-and lower-body movements safely strengthen the heart and major muscle groups. Wayne’s research suggests that for people with heart failure, tai chi may improve stamina on par with traditional aerobic exercise. In one small 12-week-long study, those who did tai chi performed even better on a six-minute walk test than those who did aerobic exercise.