Treatment of hypertension with device-guided breathing exercise

Hypertension has been documented as a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and lowering blood pressure (BP) can reduce this risk. Life style modifications such as physical exercise, salt restriction and weight reduction can lower BP. Recently, a number of studies showed that device-guided breathing exercise, which lowers the respiration rate and modifies respiratory patterns, can also lower BP. Deep and slow breathing increase baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability, improve small vessels blood flow, and decrease peripheral resistance, thereby leading to BP reduction. Several studies including 268 hypertensive patients showed that 15 minutes of daily breathing exercise lowered BP within 8 weeks by 12.1/6.1 mmHg as compared to 7.6q3.4 mmHg in the control group. Most patients complied with the treatment. These results suggest that device guided breathing exercise can be used to lower BP.