[HN Gopher] Breathing exercise lowers blood pressure better than...
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       Breathing exercise lowers blood pressure better than working out,
       medication
        
       Author : throw1234651234
       Score  : 154 points
       Date   : 2021-07-06 13:01 UTC (9 hours ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (www.studyfinds.org)
 (TXT) w3m dump (www.studyfinds.org)
        
       | bane wrote:
       | I have sometimes high blood pressure. 5-10 minutes of slow
       | focused breathing almost always bring it down from "you may need
       | to see a doctor" to "maybe think about possibly getting some
       | regular cardio". It's amazing. The only other thing that does it
       | as much is alcohol, and that has a number of negative side
       | effects later.
        
         | silicon2401 wrote:
         | Alcohol increases blood pressure in the short and long terms:
         | https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pr...
        
         | pen2l wrote:
         | If anyone here has an Apple watch, they likely experienced the
         | "intrusiveness" of the breathing app.
         | 
         | At first, it did indeed caught me off guard... why was Apple, a
         | company whose products I equate to be the pinnacle of
         | principled UI design, so pushy and so annoying with
         | notifications that I take a moment to breathe.
         | 
         | But then I observed something truly remarkably: it wasn't just
         | randomly, aimlessly spamming me with the notifications... it
         | was giving me these notifications at very key times. It gave
         | notifications during times of acute distress, times when I was
         | feeling off one way or another. And by golly, when I did then
         | stop and take its suggestion to stop and do its guided
         | breathing exercise, wow, it helped.
        
           | andrekandre wrote:
           | for me its just the opposite, those reminders during
           | stressfull times make me MORE stressed and i just toss the
           | watch into a box for the rest of the day...
        
             | graeme wrote:
             | Did you ever....try the breathing exercise? 90% of people
             | don't, but it's actually quite pleasant.
             | 
             | There are some situations of acute stress where one can't
             | take a 1 min pause, but in most scenarios it helps.
        
             | caleb-allen wrote:
             | I have a Fitbit, and I've had to shut off as many of the
             | notifications as I can. I really hope the trend goes toward
             | simplicity rather than cutesy rewards and notifications..
        
               | Brakenshire wrote:
               | You might like the Withings trackers.
        
           | rowanG077 wrote:
           | Man Is there a product that does this that is not Apple? I
           | really want this but I will never buy into Apples software.
        
           | baby wrote:
           | Oh wow. I always just assumed they were throwing these at
           | regular intervals during the day! You're saying they're
           | actually giving you these based on your pulse or smthg?
        
       | Normille wrote:
       | Is this a similar effect to 'nasal breathing' [0] while running?
       | ie. you're making the cardiovascular system work harder to get
       | the oxygen it needs.
       | 
       | [0] https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a33993505/nasal-
       | breath...
        
         | mmcgaha wrote:
         | I doubt this is the same thing, but in Jr High, I was
         | complaining that my side hurt doing the mile run and the coach
         | had me breathe through my nose instead of my mouth; sure enough
         | the pain went away.
        
           | vvatermelone wrote:
           | That's a very interesting idea. I've _always_ breathed
           | through my mouth while running due to not getting  "enough"
           | air through my nose, and also fight with abdominal pains
           | whilst running as well. I'll give this a shot tonight
           | actually, in theory it seems very similar to any other kind
           | of resistance training.
        
       | JadeNB wrote:
       | I think that the title mangler struck again--the headline is
       | "5-minute breathing exercise lowers blood pressure". The article
       | doesn't seem to refer to "min breathing", so having that as the
       | article title seems to be an error.
        
         | throw1234651234 wrote:
         | Not sure how this works since I post like 3 articles a year,
         | but I posted the title as "5 Min Breathing Exercise Lowers
         | Blood Pressure" initially and something or someone changed it.
        
           | JadeNB wrote:
           | Yeah, the mangler removes numeric prefixes, I guess to fight
           | against "10 Breathing Exercises You Won't Believe (#7 is
           | Amazing!)"-style clickbait.
        
       | amriksohata wrote:
       | much more effective just doing yoga by hindu sages
        
       | leke wrote:
       | It is possible to reproduce this without the machine? Like maybe
       | go for a run?
        
         | jachee wrote:
         | Not in 5 minutes' time.
        
       | LinuxBender wrote:
       | Breathing exercises work great. I have run across a few things
       | that interact with the vagus nerve. Another technique I didn't
       | expect to work was rubbing my eyes. I only get about 5 points
       | reduction in systolic, but it's something. If you have a BP
       | monitor, try it out. If you get lab-coat hypertension, try it at
       | the doctors office.
        
       | NickM wrote:
       | Honest question: why do they need an electronic device for this?
       | If the goal is just to provide resistance against breathing,
       | wouldn't it work just as well to suck air through, say, a narrow
       | straw?
        
         | modeless wrote:
         | You can buy purely mechanical versions with adjustable
         | resistance. I got one a couple of years ago.
         | 
         | Breathing sounds easy but it is real exercise if you set the
         | resistance high enough. I found it unpleasant and stopped doing
         | it, especially because the device gets kind of gross and needs
         | frequent disassembly for washing according to the manual. But I
         | really should probably start again given the low time
         | investment and multiple studies that show a large blood
         | pressure benefit relative to other interventions.
        
         | mentos wrote:
         | I held my nose and then tried to breathe through a clenched
         | fist and regulated the flow by clenching/releasing my fingers
         | seems to work well
        
         | Someone1234 wrote:
         | They needed an electrical one because studies like data to
         | analyze. You can easily buy a non-electrical one like the Power
         | Breathe, The Breather, PowerLung, etc. Just look up "Breathing
         | Trainers" at Amazon or similar.
         | 
         | As to using "a narrow straw," no, because these resist both
         | your inhale AND exhale, and while it is easy to exhale through
         | a narrow straw trying to inhale just causes the straw to
         | collapse (or you won't get enough air and will have to
         | stop/pass out). They're designed to resist but not limit.
         | 
         | After having tried a breathing trainer, it definitely feels
         | like real exercise even just at your desk, and I cannot imagine
         | doing it for 15-minute sessions via a narrow straw.
        
           | drewg123 wrote:
           | > trying to inhale just causes the straw to collapse
           | 
           | What about just using a metal straw?
        
             | Someone1234 wrote:
             | With a metal straw, you solve collapse, but you don't solve
             | restrictive airflow.
             | 
             | I'd just buy a breathing trainer with adjustable resistance
             | (start low, set a time goal (e.g. 15 minutes once a day),
             | and increase it one level every session until you fail,
             | then move back one, do a few sessions, then try to move up,
             | repeat).
        
           | exhilaration wrote:
           | Can you recommend one of those breathing trainers? It sounds
           | interesting.
        
             | mmkhd wrote:
             | I have only experience with one but the Ultrabreath works
             | nicely.
        
           | cycomanic wrote:
           | Actually my father just has one half lung left and regularly
           | sees a physio for lung training. One of the excercises they
           | do is breathing through a straw so yes it does work and is
           | being used.
        
             | Someone1234 wrote:
             | I'd suggest reading the study.
             | 
             | What your father is doing is known as Straw Breathing, you
             | inhale normally, then exhale via a drinking straw. Repeat
             | for five minutes.
             | 
             | We're discussing bi-direction breathing training, wherein
             | resistive _inhaling_ is a significant part of the exercise
             | regimen and one not offered in [easier] Straw Breathing.
             | 
             | If you have a study that compares Straw Breathing to using
             | a Breathing Trainer it would be a welcome addition to the
             | discussion. But currently straw breathing is primarily
             | aimed at bringing people from below back to normal lung
             | function, whereas breathing training is meant to improve
             | lung function above normal.
        
               | prometheus76 wrote:
               | I use a 10' piece of garden hose shoved into a 5 gallon
               | bucket of water. Or a barrel of water, if you have one.
               | Good for exhale practice.
        
         | gopalv wrote:
         | > If the goal is just to provide resistance against breathing,
         | wouldn't it work just as well to suck air through
         | 
         | There's something a lot of people (including myself) do which
         | sounds a lot like Darth Vader, which is to cup your open mouth
         | and breathe in while getting stressed about things.
         | 
         | You probably don't need a device at all to do breathing
         | exercises (like a kapalbhati in Hindu tantric traditions,
         | though the whole exercise involves stuff you need a tub for).
         | 
         | The electronic device is probably better for a medical setting
         | , because it will not just measure, it will track the activity
         | in some way - the numbers matter because the medical practice
         | is evidence based in a good way, the goal being to titrate a
         | dosage, even for exercise interventions.
        
         | mistrial9 wrote:
         | so they can sell people a device and pay for better ad
         | placement to do more of that?
        
         | Tempest1981 wrote:
         | Clicking "this device" shows a diagram of a sort of wide
         | tapered straw... used to "cure" hiccups:
         | 
         | https://www.studyfinds.org/invention-science-cure-hiccups/
        
           | war1025 wrote:
           | Any time I see anything about hiccups, my mind immediately
           | jumps to this [1]. Rubbing your butthole is supposed to stop
           | the hiccups.
           | 
           | Never tried it, but it is firmly planted in my head as random
           | trivia.
           | 
           | [1] https://malct32.blogspot.com/2011/03/rectal-stimulation-
           | to-c...
        
           | chrisweekly wrote:
           | Huh. My hiccup remedy has never once failed me: - Sit
           | upright, and ignore any hiccups till they're gone. - 1.
           | Inhale and exhale normally for a couple breaths. - 2. Inhale
           | extremely deeply, filling lungs to max capacity, and hold it
           | (lungs full) for a slow 5-count. - 3. Forcibly exhale
           | steadily until lungs are completely empty, and hold it (lungs
           | empty) for a slow 5-count. - 4. Steadily inhale (repeating
           | step 2).
           | 
           | If they're stubborn you may need to repeat the fill/empty
           | cycle 2 or 3 times. 100% success rate for me and my family
           | and friends. I guess the it helps relax the diaphram to take
           | control of it and put it through its paces.
        
             | filoeleven wrote:
             | My routine is similar, except that my step 3 is a further
             | "sipping" inhale, repeating your step 2 and my step 3 until
             | I can't take in any more air or hold my breath any longer.
             | I've found that the initial "max capacity inhale" really
             | isn't that, but it takes some seconds holding that much air
             | in at rest, with the trachea closed, in order to further
             | inhale.
             | 
             | I think my version works because the diaphragm can't spasm
             | when it's stretched (or contracted, not sure which) so far
             | out from its neutral position. If I think of it next time,
             | I'll have to try your method out!
        
             | david-gpu wrote:
             | I do something similar that also works 100% of the time!
             | 
             | 1. Inhale until lungs are at full capacity.
             | 
             | 2. Hold your breath as long as you manage comfortably.
             | 
             | 3. Breathe in and out slowly for a couple of breaths. I.e.
             | don't gasp for air.
             | 
             | I also long suspected it may work by reducing the
             | activity/stimulation of the diaphragm.
        
               | kahmeal wrote:
               | This might just end up doing the same thing with extra
               | steps but for me the most effective has been holding
               | breath until it starts to become slightly uncomfortable
               | and then start drinking a full glass of water while
               | allowing myself to take short breaths of air as necessary
               | between swallows. Something about the swallowing motion
               | combined with short breaths seems to "reset" the
               | diaphragm like a champ for me. Breathe slow and relaxed
               | for the minute after to ensure it's really gone :)
        
           | covercash wrote:
           | I think this is that device: https://hiccaway.com/general/
        
         | Tempest1981 wrote:
         | Here is one explanation of the electronics (variable
         | resistance): https://www.powerbreathe.com/product/powerbreathe-
         | k-series/?...
         | 
         | Claim: "The K series devices all feature a unique, patented,
         | electronically tapered flow resistive loading valve. This means
         | the resistance is constantly monitored and tapered to match
         | your reducing strength throughout the breath thus allowing
         | greater flow and maximum volume rather than cutting off half
         | way through the breath."
        
         | amelius wrote:
         | Hi, I'm still looking for a sensor/device that can measure both
         | breathing frequency and breathing type (costal versus
         | diaphragmatic breathing).
        
         | kazinator wrote:
         | Pursed lips work.
        
       | fudged71 wrote:
       | Is it possible to buy a cheap device off alibaba?
        
         | hollander wrote:
         | YES, but will it work?
        
       | tomComb wrote:
       | This appears to be based on this
       | 
       | Novel 5-minute workout improves blood pressure, may boost your
       | brain (2019-02-15)
       | https://www.colorado.edu/today/2019/02/25/novel-workout-impr...
       | 
       | Lowering Blood Pressure in 5 Minutes (2019-02-24)
       | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KueabH8B8M University of
       | Colorado Boulder
        
       | RappingBoomer wrote:
       | I gotta try this one out
        
       | new_guy wrote:
       | There's a whole branch of Indian science devoted to this.
       | Pranayama.
       | 
       | Check out 'The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath' -
       | http://www.yogebooks.com/english/atkinson/1903sciencebreath....
        
       | swader999 wrote:
       | Its weird that they are showing mouth breathing with a device.
       | Just do nose breathing and slow down the exhale and the inhale
       | for a total of about 5-6 breathes per minute.
       | 
       | Go to google and search on "breathing exercise" and you get a
       | little app that will help you dial in this pace. This too will
       | lower your blood pressure, help you focus and reduce anxiety!
        
         | _def wrote:
         | Or imagine breathing out through a straw
        
           | mmkhd wrote:
           | The exercise is for breathing in. You probably could add
           | resistance by pursing your lips but with a device results
           | will be more reproducible. I have an Ultrabreath (made in UK)
           | from Amazon that seems to be the simple analog equivalent if
           | the fancy electronic device in the video. Now that I know
           | that it might help with blood pressure I will try using it
           | seriously. (Edit: spelling)
        
         | DennisP wrote:
         | The point is to add resistance to strengthen your breathing
         | muscles, not just to slow down your breathing rate.
        
           | Tomte wrote:
           | Would an FFP2 mask work?
        
             | DennisP wrote:
             | I often used one before I was vaccinated, and it was pretty
             | easy to breathe through it.
        
             | hollander wrote:
             | Probably but maybe not as powerful as a specially designed
             | device. It's not as controlled, and you can get sloppy more
             | easily.
        
         | turnerc wrote:
         | They are showing it because within the study they used data
         | from the device to monitor adherence to each intensity level of
         | their trial groups.
        
       | cwkoss wrote:
       | Does the device have to create negative pressure or does a
       | constricted airway have the same effect?
       | 
       | I'm no expert - but it seems to me that, so long as you're able
       | to breathing at same rate and resistance, a small negative
       | pressure (ex. with a powered fan) would be aerodynamically
       | equivalent to a constricted airway (ex. breathing through a
       | tube).
       | 
       | Is a powered device meaningfully different than just breathing
       | through a boba straw or similar (would be much cheaper...)
        
       | mirekrusin wrote:
       | Great, so I can vape on high air resistance to induce low blood
       | pressure?
        
         | rpmisms wrote:
         | As long as there's no nicotine, I don't see why not. Nicotine
         | will raise your blood pressure short-term.
        
       | giantg2 wrote:
       | You can also use those grip strengtheners and hold it for 2
       | minutes. Repeat a few times. Supposed to reduce blood pressure.
       | 
       | The thing that would reduce my blood pressure the most is
       | quitting my job.
        
         | agumonkey wrote:
         | whenever I escape toxic locations to hide in my car I can feel
         | the blood reach my toes again
         | 
         | where (and whom with) you spend your time matters a lot
        
       | throw1234651234 wrote:
       | 'A five-minute workout that scientists call "strength training
       | for your breathing muscles" is proving to lower blood pressure as
       | well as or even better than traditional exercise and prescription
       | drugs.'
       | 
       | This article appears to be a re-print of something published a
       | year or two ago, but I can't find the original atm. I bought the
       | device based on the research, but found the "exercise" to be
       | poorly defined, as with most meditative breathing exercises, and
       | never did it. Was hoping further research was done or the study
       | was replicated, which doesn't appear to be the case,
       | unfortunately.
        
         | Tempest1981 wrote:
         | This similar article: https://www.eatthis.com/news-imst-high-
         | resistance-inspirator...
         | 
         | Links to this (also recent) article:
         | https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.121.020980
         | 
         | Which links to
         | https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03266510?term=NCT...
         | 
         | Which might be from 2017? Or study began in 2017, updated May
         | 2021?
        
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