In addition to calming anxiety and lowering your heart rate, deep breathing can have many other health benefits. A recent study showed that combining breath training with a breathing device over the counter can lead to a decrease of almost 10 points in blood pressure.
Six weeks ago, the Journal of Applied Physiology published a study that included 128 adults aged 18 to 82 practicing breathwork.
As a researcher, Daniel Harrison Craighead, Ph.D., says breathwork is anything that involves conscious control of breathing.
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To lower blood pressure, the researchers used high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training, which involves taking 30 resisted breaths daily for five to 10 minutes with a handheld device.
Many health problems are associated with high blood pressure, including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems. Check out Craighead’s guide to lowering blood pressure with breath training.
Does Breath Training Lower Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure people tend to have this system overactive, and IMST techniques likely lower the activity. Moreover, endothelial cells, which line the inside of blood vessels, are largely responsible for maintaining cardiovascular health. A few ways are possible for IMST to lower blood pressure.
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What Is The Process?
With a handheld device that resembles a snorkel, users will resistively inhale 30 times during a session; there is no resistance to exhaling. Take a deep breath through the mouthpiece as quickly and powerfully as possible. It is very challenging to inhale while the device provides resistance. It is usually difficult to overcome the device’s resistance during the last six breaths, says Craighead.
Is It For Everyone?
For most people, IMST is safe. Craighead says IMST benefits haven’t been influenced by age, sex, or weight, suggesting its effectiveness in lowering BP is generally universal. IMST’s effectiveness for people with severe chronic illnesses is unknown, as researchers are still studying various patient populations. Make sure IMST is safe for you by consulting your physician.