According to a study, experts now say that practicing mindful breathing can lower blood pressure as effectively as medicines. Deep breathing is like muscle training for the diaphragm and other muscles involved. The experiment was conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Arizona, in the United States. The study looked at 128 volunteers, healthy adults between the age of 18 to 82 for six weeks.
Within two weeks people started to see improvement with very few side effects
The participants were given a $32 PowerBreath device for 5 to 10 minutes. PowerBreathe is a resistance-breathing training device that looks like an inhaler. According to the study, within two weeks people started to see improvement with very few side effects.
“We found that doing 30 breaths per day for six weeks lowers systolic blood pressure by about 9 millimeters of mercury,” researcher Daniel Craighead, an integrative physiologist at the University of Colorado Boulder said.
High blood pressure and hypertension can lead to serious health issues
The reading was also similar to many commonly prescribed medicines given to patients with high blood pressure. They saw the most notable results. According to Craighead, they expect that the longer the participants would practice their blood pressure would lower further. He added that people who have unhealthy levels of blood pressure can benefit from this by adding to their routine.
High blood pressure and hypertension can lead to serious health issues such as heart attacks and strokes. People who smoke, do not exercise or maintain a healthy diet, or are under chronic stress are especially vulnerable and at risk of experiencing high blood pressure. However, Craighead has warned that this technique is not to be replaced with medicine for people who have high blood pressure. He says it would be a “good additive intervention” for people who seek a healthy lifestyle.