Practising hatha yoga — a combination of asanas, pranayam and meditation — daily as well as maintaining healthy lifestyle may help reduce blood pressure in patients with pre hypertension, a study has found.

Pre hypertension — slightly elevated blood pressure — is blood pressure readings with a systolic pressure from 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure from 80 to 89 mm Hg. Readings greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg are considered hypertension — or high blood pressure.

“Patients with pre hypertension are likely to develop hypertension unless they improve their lifestyle,” said lead author Ashutosh Angrish, cardiologist at Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi.