Effect of Slow Breathing on Blood Pressure; Heart Rate and Body Weight in Prehypertensive Subjects of Varying Body Mass Index
Abstract: Purpose: Individuals with higher BMI have increased blood pressure and resting heart rate. Slow breathing done at 6 breaths/min increases the baroreflex sensitivity and reduces sympathetic activity suggesting a potentially beneficial effect in hypertension. Method: 45 subjects of different BMI were selected. The subjects performed slow breathing for 4 weeks. Systolic BP; diastolic BP; heart rate and body weight changes from baseline. Data was analysed by using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kruskal wallis test. Results: BP reductions were seen in normal BMI ( p0.05) subjects. But; body weight was found to be significantly decreased in obese subjects (p0.05) and overweight (p>0.05) subjects. Conclusion: Slow breathing reduced the blood pressure and heart rate of normal BMI and overweight prehypertensive subjects. However; slow breathing is not effective in reducing the blood pressure and heart rate in obese prehypertensive subjects; but it may play a role in weight reduction of obese prehypertensives.
Keywords: Slow breathing, prehypertension, blood pressure, heart rate, BMI
How to Cite?: Kaur Harneet, Saravanan. S, "Effect of Slow Breathing on Blood Pressure; Heart Rate and Body Weight in Prehypertensive Subjects of Varying Body Mass Index", Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 863-867, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=2014278, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/2014278