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Research Paper | Cardiology Science | India | Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014

Effect of Slow Breathing on Blood Pressure; Heart Rate and Body Weight in Prehypertensive Subjects of Varying Body Mass Index

Kaur Harneet ^[2] | Saravanan. S

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

Edition: Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014,

Pages: 863 - 867