Device-guided breathing exercises reduce blood pressure: Ambulatory and home measurements

Slow breathing practiced routinely using an interactive device has demonstr ated a sustained reduction in high blood pressure (BP). We reevaluated the BP response of hypertensives (n = 13) to this daily treatment for 8 weeks u sing 24-h ambulatory, home, and office BP measurements. A clinically signif icant BP reduction of similar magnitude was observed in all BP monitoring m odalities during the daytime. Greater BP reductions were found for older pa tients and higher baseline BP. The results provide additional support for t he efficacy of the device as an adjunctive lifestyle modification for treat ing hypertension. (C) 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.