Monday 26 September 2022 06:17 PM Breathing exercises lowers blood pressure 'as effectively as medication', study ... trends now
It's a technique self-help gurus and influencers swear by for controlling stress levels.
Now experts have shown that mindfulness breathing exercises can physically lower blood pressure.
Just 30 deep breaths a day with an inhaler-like device was found to be as effective as medication.
The device creates resistance, forcing the patient to use their breathing muscles to push and pull air through it.
Scientists believe having strong respiratory muscles allows for deeper breathing without the device.
It is thought that taking in deep breaths helps dilate blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through them and lowering blood pressure.
But researchers say it should not be a replacement for other healthy habits like exercise, which have benefits beyond just blood pressure.
Previous research has indicated that breathing exercises - often used during meditation of mindfulness practices - can help ward off hypertension.
Meditation is a popular mindfulness practice in which the subject focuses on their breath.
The POWERbreathe device strengthens the user's respiratory muscles with each use.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Arizona looked at 128 healthy adults ranging in age from 18 to 82 for a span of six weeks.
Participants used a $32 PowerBreathe device for about five to 10 minutes each day, taking 30 deep breaths.
Within two weeks participants started to see improvements with very few side effects.
