Deep Breathing Helps to Lower High Blood Pressure
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I have to admit, I haven't paid too much attention to breathing; like most of us, I take breathing for granted as its such a natural part of our lives, that is, unless something goes horribly wrong with our lungs and we gasp for air.
I received an ad endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, a well known holistic doctor, about a small machine called RESPeRATE that actually helps lower blood pressure through paced breathing and has been given excellent reviews by The Mayo Clinic, Wall Street Journal, John Hopkins and Harvard Medical School. I had been experiencing a rise in my blood pressure, but decided to try learning to breathe properly on my own before investing $299.00 in a machine I may not use, much like buying exercise equipment that stays shiny for years from non-use. I remembered the books I have read, that teaches the reader to use Yoga breathing; as we inhale, the stomach expands and then contracts upon exhalation, giving one a "Buddha tummy" (for the moment) and explains how breathing feeds every part of our body with life giving oxygen; it even may improve the memory, as the brain is often starved of oxygen due to improper breathing, which often happens when experiencing stress as we tend to hold our breath or breathe erratically when stressed.
I did an experiment, I consciously breathed in and out by expanding my stomach while inhaling and kept a rhythmic breathing for a few minutes and then checked my blood pressure numbers. The numbers were surprising, I dropped about 15 points in BP readings, bringing it into the normal range. I continued taking time throughout my day to breathe properly, as I was not used to breathing this way; so yes, its true, breathing does help with blood pressure! Try it for yourself and see if it works for you.
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Of course, besides working out on the treadmill several times a week, I also have modified my diet; when I cook, I use less salt (I cook with sea salt) and season my food with herbs, garlic and pepper instead; in addition, I am taking 2,000 Mg's of Emergenge C and 650 mg of garlic bulb powder (the suggested dose.) Taking vitamin C or garlic alone does not seem to have the same affect on blood pressure reduction, it should be taken together, as the combination of vitamin C and garlic signals the surrounding muscle line of the walls of blood vessels to relax, thereby dilating the blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
These recommendations are not meant to be used as a replacement of a doctor's care should the need for one be indicated, or to discourage anyone from buying the RESPeRATE device, as it is a wonderful tool, but to remind readers, that often developing healthy habits, the natural cures and lifestyle modifications are the best "cure" because they are not band aids over a health condition, but a responsible lifestyle choice that aids in maintaining or restoring the well being of our bodies.
I have included links that I found helpful!
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Breathing Relaxation Exercise
Yoga Deep Breathing Exercise
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Thanks Violetsun! Great hub! I too was able to get my BP within normal range by making some lifestyle changes and reducing stress through proper breathing and meditation. It really does help!
Hi, highwaystar: In a way I am glad my BP was starting to rise because it brought into my awareness (again) the importance of breathing. Its one thing reading about it and experiencing the benefits. Will check your link.
pgrundy: Thanks for the confirmation! I also have seen changes in mine and congratulations in taking charge of your well being. :)
Wow!!it does work:) I have been recommended to do yoga for so long now i may just have to take it up pretty soon... Thanks for such valuable information...
Hey, compu-smart, if the article at least has you considering in taking up yoga, or encourages someone else to at least breathe properly, then my intentions for writing the article are working. :)
Thanks again;)
Great hub VioletSun,
I think this write up is a blessing. With my family history and stressed lifestyle I know its only a matter of time be4 I become a high blood pressure patient, but maybe armed with this info I will be able to make the choices that will help make a difference.
Thanks
Paper Money: Yes, prevention is the best cure! One of my girlfriends is still working in the corporate world and is overly stressed to the point of tears. I told her by email, just breeeathe and take mini breaks throughout the day to balance herself, even if she has to do this in the ladies room. She has done this and it has helped her.
This is great to know! Thanks for the great information :) I should try this more often, in addition to my New Year's resolution of drinking more water :)
Hi, glassvisage: Thanks for stopping by. :) I have gotten into the habit of putting a bottle of water in my office and another one in the bedroom, so I am always taking sips of water without trying very hard.
You have tried to put good things regarding breathing, providing links and other references!
Breathing really means so many things. It leads our vital element and emotional things. Control over breathimg provides so many things, which we could not even count!
Thank you, healwell! I sometimes forget to breathe properly, and when I do this, I feel my solar plexus or third chakra close, and feel low in energy; but when I start breathing conciously and also move, such as walking or even doing chores, my energy picks up and I feel super charged.
Thanks so much for this article VioletSun. I recently started taking Yoga and was wondering if Yoga made a difference in relation to BP. I checked my BP and noticed that it was fine, actually better than fine. So I decided to google Yoga and BP and found your Hub. Didn't know I'd get a hub. This is exciting as I just started using Hubs myself. I'm now starting to see the value of info on these hubs. So thanks so much and I will follow your hub.
This is very useful information, I did not realize that breathing techniques had such a positive affect on the body. Thanks
DailyEscapes: Thanks for commenting, and I have been meaning to learn Yoga as I know its good for one's overall well being.
Research Analyst: Breath is life, so breathing properly feeds one's entire body. Thanks for reading and adding your comments.
This is interesting and so true; my husband and I were in Okla last year and he had a horrible time with nerves and high blood pressure, we did the deep breathing for several minutes to see if it would help until his blood pressure meds took over. It lowered his blood pressure immediately, but he had to concentrate during the timing as well as repeat it often during the day. It's a matter of training your body to breathe more regularly all the time... thank you for enlightening us on this important health care issue.
Hi, Marisue: It is amazing isn't it? Reminds us that breath is indeed the foundation of our well being. It's a good habit to get into anyway whether we have high blood pressure or not. Thanks for sharing and the confirmation.
Very helpful hub. Thanks for the good advice, all the links, and the spirit in which it was written. I think it dropped my BP by at least 10 pts, just reading it.
yeah actually it does...i have hypertension and just learned it after i fainted when we were hiking one time with my friends. my doctor advised me to do regularly a breathe in breathe out like you do after exercise. i don't know any medical explanation for that but it helps relax your muscles, veins and clean air helps circulate your blood well.
Hi, Gwyn: Isn' it wonderful how breath which is free can be a source of healing? Thanks for reading and commenting!
Yes deep breathing works wonders! Great hub Violet Sun :)
That was helpfull
just needs practice
thnx
Thank you, Bruce for your comments, sorry, I didn't see them until today! Keep reading and maybe you will drop another 10 points. :)
Thanks Michele, and Mezo for reading, I am breathing deeply right now, and my body loves it!
Thanks, ViloletSun. This is just what I needed to read. I'm planning on bringing my numbers down as much as I can. Ok, I'm off to breathe:)
Hi, Rockinjoe: :::breathing in and out with you::::::: thanks for reading and commenting! :)
Deep breathing is very good for warding of many different types of maladies. Just have to remember to try it more often :).
Sweetiepie: Yes, deep breathing is good for everything- and its free. :) Thanks for stopping by.
Great hub VioletSun,
Lgali: Thanks for your comments!
Thanks for the hub. When I was in Australia in 2003, my brother-in-law told us about deep breathing in the open air. We did a few times but after we went home we forgot about it. Reading your hub reminds me of the benefit of deep breathing. I hope to resume the practice.
Hi, Einron: Deep breathing is like a habit the more often we do it, the easier it is to remember to breathe. Your brother in law is right, deep breathing in the open air is even better and I try to do this often. Thanks for reading and commenting.
VioletSun ...great advice ...My business partner is always practicing the habit of deep breathing. He says it relieves stress and helps keep the chest from hurting ...good advice ...my best to you ..thanks for sharing!
Gcody: Thanks for stopping by and reading and commenting. By the way, I have been taking the Aloe Vera I purchased from you, and it helps with fighting off minor infections and heartburn.
thanks for great opinion about breathing. it useful for me.
Prasetio: Glad you found this article helpful, this is what I try to do to impart tips that can be of use. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Thanks for this insight on how deep breathing lowers high BP. I need to do more breathing exercises. They do relax you!
Pratonix: Breathing properly nourishes our entire being; sometimes I forget, as we humans are creatures of good and bad habits, but when I remember to breathe deeply, I do it, and feel better!
Good morning! Came to this hub via prasetio39's hub about waking in the morning. Very interesting! Glad you found a natural/safe way to lower your BP and hope it continues. Thanks to a wonderful spiritual mother, I found out the benefits of deep breathing as well. It's definitely a miracle worker. Voted/rated.
Hi Support Med: Amazing how we forget the health benefits of breathing and its free! Thanks for your comments and vote. :)
highwaystar 4 years ago
Excellent hub violetsun, thanks, deep breathing exercises make a powerful difference to your health in many ways...actually a few excellent programs show how its done, you might want to check this out if the beenfits are of interest: http://www.audiobookgiftshop.com/Title.aspx?titleI