However, breathing techniques should not replace the treatment plan and medication your healthcare provider prescribes.
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This method may be beneficial for calming feelings of anxiety and helping people to fall asleep.
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Not many high-quality, published studies look specifically at this technique’s effect on lowering blood pressure.
This practice activates the diaphragm, which is a muscle that sits between the lungs and the abdomen.
Start by placing one hand on the belly and one hand on your stomach.
Take a deep breath and focus on keeping your chest still while expanding your stomach.
Aim for counts around six seconds for inhalation and six seconds for exhalation.
Studies suggest that diaphragmatic breathing may help those with lung diseases like chronic obstructive lung disease and asthma.
There are various patterns for performing alternate nostril breathing.
One technique is to hold the right nostril closed while exhaling and inhaling through the left nostril.
Then switch to hold the left nostril closed while exhaling and inhaling through the right nostril.
Breath work techniques with slow breathing can lower stress and temporarily lower blood pressure.
Pursed-Lip Breathing
Pursed-lip breathing is a technique in which a prolonged exhalation is performed through pursed lips.
IMST is performed by breathing through a small, handheld unit.
This makes you have to work harder to breathe air into your lungs.
Breathing in this manner helps to strengthen the muscles between the ribs and the diaphragm.
Should You Try Breathing Techniques?
If you have high blood pressure, breathing techniques may help temporarily lower your blood pressure.
Stop the exercise if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or otherwise unwell while performing breathing techniques.
Treating high blood pressure requires a multipronged approach.
Breathing exercises should never replace the medications your healthcare provider prescribes.
Some studies suggest that certain techniques can help with hypertension.
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