Deep Breathing Exercises and Blood Pressure.

[BobbySox]

I hope somebody has the answer I'm after here.

I have read online that 10 to 15 minutes of deep breathing exercises a day can lower blood pressure by up to as much as 36 points. What I need to know is: Does this only work where the high BP is caused by stress or does it work where the high BP is caused by CVD also? I also read that it should be done whilst listening to music. Any opinions?

[Futhark]

Dear BobbySox,

Deep breathing is a very effective tool I have found. The reason it works in my opinion is its relaxing, anti-stress nature. High blood pressure can be caused by a numerous amounts of stimuli. While you cannot change your genetics, numerous lifestyle changes can lower your blood pressure significantly.

If you are a frequent caffeine consumer and cigarette smoker, cutting these out is step one. Caffeine turns your sympathetic nervous system into overdrive and causes a fight or flight reaction beyond its normal usefulness.

Another step is to change your eating habits. Focus on vegetables and fruits and keep meat in its rightful place as a treat. Lack of certain critical minerals such as Magnesium can increase blood pressure, a mineral that is literally drained from the body with caffeine consumption. Natural sources of this include whole grain oats, nuts, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, flax, and halibut.

Finally, I suggest to you to exercise. Simply put, after a good amount of exercise, doesn't your brain just tell you "everything is going to be alright?" Stress is reduced, blood pressure is reduced. As paramedic I have seen first hand the effects of stress on blood pressure.

Doing these things, I can tell you, dropped my blood pressure from around 140 systolic to hovering around 110-120 systolic. This is why I recommend these lifestyle changes.

Hope this helps.

Futhark

[Creative]

It does work and I think it is one of the reasons why yoga is so effective at reducing blood pressure. The best way to reduce BP is to undertake a lifestyle change which includes diet, exercise and reducing stress!


Good luck