New guidelines urge doctors to add yoga to manage patients with BP, diabetes

In a first yoga has been added to the management of hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus T2DM patients in India new guidelines revealed on MondayThe guidelines by the Association of Physicians of India API in collaboration with the Indian College of Physicians ICP address the pressing need for a detailed regionspecific protocol to manage the growing dual burden of hypertension and diabetes in IndiaHypertension and diabetes are among the leading lifestyle diseases in India contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality due to heart disease stroke and peripheral artery diseaseStudies indicate that over 50 per cent of hypertensive patients in India are also diagnosed with diabetes highlighting a significant overlap that poses unique challenges in patient careThe cooccurrence of these conditions amplifies the risk of cardiovascular complications and accelerates the progression of renal disease making effective management strategies criticalFor the first time the guidelines ldquoadvocate the integration of lifestyle modifications recommending the ancient Indian practice of yoga as an adjunct therapy to enhance outcomesrdquoldquoDoctors are advised to recommend yogas holistic benefits to patients for overall health outcomesrdquo noted the guidelines published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India JAPIThe guidelines also recommend dual therapy combining Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ARBs with newer Calcium Channel Blockers CCBs like Cilnidipine to maximise benefitsCilnidipine introduced in India in 2007 is used to treat heartrelated conditions like angina chest pain and high blood pressure hypertensionIt has shown promise in offering multiple benefits not just in reducing BP but also in protecting crucial organs especially the kidneysSpecific emphasis has also been laid on using multiple methods to detect and measure hypertension including at home blood pressure BP monitoringldquoThe guidelines emphasise the importance of early detection comprehensive assessment and a multifaceted treatment approachrdquo said Jyotirmoy Pal Presidentelect 2025 APIIn addition Reninangiotensin system RAS blockers should be integral to the treatment regimen given their proven efficacy in randomised controlled trials RCTs for preventing and slowing the progression of diabetic kidney complicationsIt also recommends the use of newer antidiabetic agents like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 receptors to improve glycemic control as well as confer macro and microvascular protection the guidelines said ldquoHealthcare practitioners across India and beyond are encouraged to adopt these guidelines to enhance patient care and ensure the effective management of hypertension in diabetic patientsrdquo the guidelines saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever