Is Warfarin Safe To Take Inspite Of Having Bikram Hot Yoga?

Posted on Fri, 18 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 9 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm on Warfarin, and my Cardiologist and GP know that I go to Bikram Hot Yoga. I've been combining the two for several years; and the heat does not bother me. But I've heard from non-medical sources, that someone on Warfarin should not go to Hot Yoga. What do you advise? Thanks for answering XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: Avoiding would be good Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. Doing yoga in temperature above 40degree centigrade can cause vasodilation (Dilatation of blood vessels). This results in increased blood supply to each organ in the body. In people on warfarin and other blood thinning medications there could leak of blood into tissues due to excess vasodilation. This can lead into easy or spontaneous contusions. I would consider it not safe to practice Bikram Yoga with warfarin on. Wish you good health. Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar